New Delhi, Dec 24 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the successful launch of the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3)-M6, which carried BlueBird 6, referring to it as a "significant stride" in the advancement of India's space sector.

The LVM3-M6, which lifted off from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, embarked on its journey on Wednesday.

In a message posted on X, PM Modi remarked, "A significant stride in India's space sector… The successful launch of LVM3-M6, which placed the heaviest satellite ever launched from Indian soil—the USA's BlueBird Block-2—into its designated orbit, marks an exceptional milestone in India's space journey."

He further added, "This strengthens India's heavy-lift launch capabilities and reinforces our expanding role in the global commercial launch market. This achievement also reflects our efforts towards an Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Congratulations to our dedicated space scientists and engineers. India continues to soar higher in the realm of space!"

Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh also extended his congratulations to ISRO for the successful launch.

In a post on X, Singh stated, "Kudos to Team ISRO for the successful LVM3-M6 launch carrying BlueBird Block-2. With the visionary support of PM Sh Narendra Modi, ISRO continues to achieve successive milestones, reinforcing India's growing strength in space technology."

The communication satellite, weighing 6,100 kg, is the heaviest payload ever deployed into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in the history of LVM3 launches. The previous record was held by the LVM3-M5 Communication Satellite 03, which weighed around 4,400 kg and was successfully launched by ISRO on November 2 into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

This satellite is part of the next generation of BlueBird Block-2 communication satellites, aimed at providing space-based cellular broadband connectivity directly to standard mobile smartphones.

This mission represents the 6th operational flight of the LVM3 launch vehicle and marks a significant advancement in telecommunications technology, as the substantial 6,100 kg payload is designed to deliver high-speed 4G and 5G connectivity directly to smartphones.

The 43.5-meter-tall rocket, supported by two S200 solid boosters, lifted off at 8:55 a.m. following a 24-hour countdown from the second launch pad, located approximately 135 km east of Chennai.

About 15 minutes into the flight, the BlueBird Block-2 spacecraft is expected to separate and reach its designated orbit at an altitude of around 520 km, as per ISRO's announcement.

This mission is part of a commercial agreement established between NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), the commercial division of ISRO, and the US-based company AST SpaceMobile (AST and Science, LLC).

Meanwhile, the LVM3-M6 will successfully deploy the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into Low Earth Orbit.

This satellite stands as the largest commercial communications satellite and will also be the heaviest payload ever launched by LVM3 from Indian soil.