Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday praised the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for the successful launch of the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite, calling the mission a “proud milestone” in India’s expanding space journey.
The heavy-lift LVM3-M6 rocket placed the next-generation U.S. communications satellite into its designated orbit during an early-morning launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The mission marked ISRO’s sixth operational flight of the LVM3 rocket and its third dedicated commercial launch.
‘India Continues to Soar Higher’
Sharing his thoughts on social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi said the achievement showcased India’s growing strength in the global space sector.
“A significant stride in India’s space sector,” the Prime Minister wrote. “The successful LVM3-M6 launch, placing the heaviest satellite ever launched from Indian soil into its intended orbit, marks a proud milestone in India’s space journey.”
He added that the mission strengthens India’s heavy-lift launch capability and reinforces the country’s position in the international commercial launch market.
“India continues to soar higher in the world of space,” Mr. Modi said.
Boost to Self-Reliance and Global Partnerships
The Prime Minister said the successful mission reflects India’s push towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat while expanding global collaborations.
“This achievement strengthens our heavy-lift launch capability and deepens global partnerships,” he said. “It also underlines our efforts to build a self-reliant space ecosystem.”
Mr. Modi congratulated ISRO’s scientists and engineers for their dedication and innovation, calling their work an inspiration for future generations.
Youth Powering India’s Space Programme
In a separate message, the Prime Minister highlighted the growing role of young scientists in India’s space programme.
“Powered by India’s youth, our space programme is becoming more advanced and impactful,” he said, emphasising the importance of nurturing talent and innovation.
ISRO Highlights Key Achievements
ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan described the launch as a historic moment for the Indian space agency.
“This is the heaviest satellite ever launched by an Indian launcher from Indian soil,” he said. “It is also the first time ISRO has completed back-to-back LVM3 missions within a span of 52 days.”
With this launch, ISRO has now placed 434 satellites for 34 countries into orbit, further cementing India’s reputation as a reliable and cost-effective launch partner.
About the BlueBird Block-2 Mission
The BlueBird Block-2 satellite weighs approximately 6,100 kilograms, making it the heaviest payload carried by the LVM3 rocket to date. The 43.5-metre-tall, 640-tonne launch vehicle lifted off from the Second Launch Pad and injected the satellite into a circular orbit at an altitude of about 520 kilometres, roughly 16 minutes after liftoff.
The mission forms part of a commercial agreement and reflects ISRO’s expanding footprint in the global space launch market.
Strengthening the Road Ahead
ISRO officials said the successful deployment of BlueBird Block-2 demonstrates the reliability of the LVM3 rocket for future high-value missions. These include India’s ambitious human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan, as well as additional commercial launches.
“With LVM3 proving its heavy-lift performance, we are laying a strong foundation for future missions,” the Prime Minister said. “This progress will benefit generations to come.”
The launch stands as another landmark achievement for India’s space programme, highlighting the country’s technological capability, commercial competitiveness, and growing global influence in space exploration and satellite deployment.
