ISRO’s LVM3-M6 Launches BlueBird Block-2 After Brief Delay

ISRO’s heavy-lift Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3-M6) was successfully launched on Wednesday morning from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) at Sriharikota, following a brief delay of 90 seconds.

The launch, originally scheduled for 8.54 am, was executed at 8.55.30 am IST after ISRO initiated a precautionary hold due to a possible space debris conjunction along the vehicle’s flight path. According to reports, mission controllers identified a potential risk involving orbital debris or another satellite intersecting the rocket’s trajectory, prompting the short delay.

Confirming the revised launch time in a post on X, ISRO stated: “Launch Day for #LVM3M6. LVM3-M6 lifts off today at 08:55:30 IST with BlueBird Block-2 from SDSC SHAR.” A day earlier, the space agency had announced that the mission was scheduled for December 24, 2025, with the final countdown already underway.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated ISRO on the successful mission, highlighting the growing strength of India’s space programme. “Powered by India’s youth, our space programme is becoming more advanced and impactful,” he said. The Prime Minister noted that LVM3’s proven heavy-lift capability strengthens India’s preparedness for future missions such as Gaganyaan, expands commercial launch opportunities and enhances international cooperation. He added that the increased capability and emphasis on self-reliance would benefit future generations.

BlueBird Block-2 Mission

According to ISRO, the LVM3-M6/BlueBird Block-2 mission is a dedicated commercial launch and marks the sixth operational flight of the LVM3 launch vehicle. The mission was executed under a commercial agreement between NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, and US-based AST SpaceMobile.

Developed by ISRO, the LVM3 is a three-stage launch vehicle consisting of two S200 solid strap-on boosters, a liquid core stage (L110) and a cryogenic upper stage (C25). Standing 43.5 metres tall with a lift-off mass of approximately 640 tonnes, the rocket is capable of placing payloads of up to 4,200 kg into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.

The LVM3 has previously launched several major missions, including Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3 and two OneWeb missions that collectively deployed 72 satellites. Its most recent flight, the LVM3-M5/CMS-03 mission, was successfully completed on November 2, 2025.

According to PTI, the BlueBird Block-2 satellite is part of a next-generation Low Earth Orbit constellation designed to provide space-based cellular broadband connectivity directly to standard mobile smartphones. Equipped with a large phased-array antenna, the satellite is intended to support 4G and 5G voice, video, data and messaging services across wide geographic regions.

PTI also reported that ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan visited the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala on December 23 ahead of the launch. Following liftoff, the satellite is expected to separate from the launch vehicle approximately 15 minutes into the flight and begin operations in Low Earth Orbit.