ISRO LVM3-M6 Launch: Baahubali Rocket Places Heaviest-Ever 6.1 Tonne Satellite in Orbit

ISRO just flexed its heavy-lift muscles again. On December 24, 2025, at exactly 8:55:30 AM, the “Baahubali” rocket (LVM3-M6) roared off the pad at Sriharikota. This wasn’t just another launch; it was a record-shattering mission that placed the heaviest satellite ever launched from Indian soil into orbit.

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The thing is, the space above us is getting crowded. ISRO actually had to hold the countdown for an extra 90 seconds to avoid a potential collision with space debris. Or nothing. Let’s be real, when you’re launching a 6-tonne beast, you don’t take chances with “space junk.” Those too.

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The Payload: BlueBird 6 (Block-2)

The star of the show is the BlueBird 6, a massive 6,100 kg satellite from US-based AST SpaceMobile.

• The Goal: Direct-to-cell broadband. This means 4G and 5G speeds straight to your regular smartphone. No satellite dish, no special hardware—just space-based internet in your pocket.

• The Tech: It features a 2,400 square foot phased array antenna. Once it unfolds, it will be the largest commercial communications array ever deployed in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

• The Speed: We’re talking up to 120 Mbps. That’s enough for seamless video streaming in the middle of the Thar Desert or the high Himalayas.

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Baahubali’s Heavy-Lift Stats

Why This Matters Globally

This launch is a huge win for India’s commercial space arm. With the European Ariane 5 retired and Russia essentially out of the commercial market due to the Ukraine war, ISRO’s LVM3 has become the go-to “affordable” heavy lifter for global tech giants.

And here’s the kicker: this is the second LVM3 launch in just two months (the last one was Nov 2). ISRO is proving they can turn around these massive rockets faster than ever. It’s an ongoing evolution from a scientific agency to a global commercial powerhouse.

Prime Minister Modi called it a “proud milestone,” and he’s not exaggerating. If the Block-2 constellation works as planned, “dead zones” on your mobile network might become a thing of the past by 2027.

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