ISRO's BlueBird Block-2 Satellite Launch From 'Baahubali' Rocket: Here's All You Need To Know

New Delhi: India launched the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite on December 24 at 8 hours 55 minutes and 30 seconds, marking the heaviest payload to be launched by its heavyweight rocket Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3), also popularly dubbed as India's ‘Baahubali’ rocket, from Indian soil.

The LVM3-M6/BlueBird Block-2 Mission is the sixth operational flight from LVM3. The launch which was earlier slated for lift off at 8.54 am from Sriharikota was delayed by 90 seconds. 

To watch the live video of this historic launch click here.

The satellites are slated to provide broadband connectivity directly to our smartphones without the need for specialised hardware or phone modifications. This will allow users make video calls, browse the web, and use 4G and 5G internet speeds from anywhere on Earth. Republic TV takes a deep dive to explore all about this historic launch.

• According to ISRO, the LVM3-M6/BlueBird Block-2 Mission is a dedicated commercial mission onboard the LVM3 launch vehicle, which will launch the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite of AST SpaceMobile, USA. 
• The LVM3 is a three-stage launch vehicle comprising two solid strap-on motors (S200), a liquid core stage (L110), and a cryogenic upper stage (C25). 

• The heavyweight rocket has a lift-off mass of 640 tonnes, a height of 43.5 m, and a payload capability of 4,200 kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). 
• The LVM3, one of India's most reliable launch vehicles, has successfully launched Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and two OneWeb missions carrying 72 satellites. 
• The latest launch of the LVM3 was the LVM3-M5/CMS-03 mission, which was successfully accomplished on November 02, 2025.

• In this mission, the LVM3-M6 will place the BlueBird Block-2 satellite, into the Low Earth Orbit.
• The BlueBird Block-2 satellite is the largest commercial communications satellite to be deployed in Low Earth Orbit. 
• The BlueBird Block-2 is part of a next generation of BlueBird Block-2 communication satellites, designed to provide space-based cellular broadband connectivity directly to standard mobile smartphones.
• According to reports, AST SpaceMobile has plans to launch a total of 45 to 60 next-generation BlueBird satellites by the end of 2026.
• On the 90-seconds-delay in it's launch, ISRO said that there was a chance of a collision on the rocket's flight path as there was debris or a conjunction with other satellites.

ALSO READ: Countdown Begins: ISRO's LVM3 To Liftoff With Heaviest BlueBird Block-2 Satellite Shortly