Overview
- ISRO’s LVM3-M6 placed AST SpaceMobile’s 6,100‑kg BlueBird Block‑2 into low Earth orbit at roughly 520 km, the heaviest payload launched from India.
- The satellite is part of a constellation designed for direct-to-device connectivity that aims to link ordinary smartphones without special hardware.
- The flight was conducted under a NewSpace India Limited contract with AST SpaceMobile and marked the third fully commercial LVM3 mission.
- Liftoff from Sriharikota occurred at 8:55 am after a 90‑second debris‑avoidance hold, reflecting growing operational safeguards.
- ISRO targets at least six additional launches by March 2026, with plans including the first uncrewed Gaganyaan flight carrying a humanoid payload.