Daijiworld Media Network - Sriharikota
Sriharikota, Dec 24: India’s most powerful rocket, the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3), popularly known as ‘Baahubali’, is all set to mark another milestone with its eighth mission on Wednesday morning from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre here. The mission will deploy BlueBird-6, a next-generation U.S.-built communications satellite, into orbit, further reinforcing India’s credentials in the global commercial space launch arena.
Built by Texas-based AST SpaceMobile, BlueBird-6 is designed to enable direct broadband connectivity from space to standard smartphones, without the need for ground-based terminals or specialised equipment. The mission is being seen as a significant step forward for satellite-based mobile communications and a major endorsement of ISRO as a reliable launch partner for advanced commercial payloads.
ISRO has made a slight adjustment to the launch schedule, delaying liftoff by 90 seconds. The LVM3-M6 mission, earlier scheduled for 8.54 am, will now lift off at 8.55.30 am, according to NDTV. ISRO officials said the countdown is progressing smoothly and the delay is purely precautionary, reflecting the agency’s meticulous approach to mission safety and accuracy.
Weighing close to 6,100 kg, BlueBird-6 is the heaviest satellite ever launched by an Indian rocket. “This is the heaviest satellite lifted by our launch vehicles from Indian soil,” ISRO Chairman V Narayanan told NDTV, underlining a major leap in India’s heavy-lift launch capability.
At 43.5 metres tall and with a liftoff mass of about 640 tonnes, the LVM3 is India’s most capable launch vehicle. It can carry payloads of up to 4,200 kg to geosynchronous transfer orbit and much heavier satellites to low Earth orbit. The three-stage rocket features twin solid strap-on boosters, a liquid-fuelled core stage and a cryogenic upper stage—placing India among a select group of nations with proven cryogenic launch technology.
The ‘Baahubali’ rocket boasts a flawless record so far, with all eight missions, including its experimental flight, completed successfully. This unbroken success rate has significantly boosted confidence among international customers.
With the launch of BlueBird-6, ISRO continues to strengthen its position in the highly competitive global launch market, increasingly drawing comparisons with established players such as SpaceX, Arianespace and Roscosmos, as demand for reliable and cost-effective launch services continues to grow worldwide.