The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3) on Wednesday (24 Dec) successfully placed the BlueBird Block-2 satellite in low earth orbit.

At 8.55 a.m., the LVM3 lifted off from the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota and 15 minutes later placed the satellite in the intended orbit.

ISRO accomplished two milestones with this mission as it was able to deploy the largest commercial communications satellite in low earth orbit, and also the BlueBird Block-2 satellite became the heaviest payload (6,100kg) to be launched by LVM3 from Indian soil.

ISRO chairman V. Narayanan declared the mission a success.

Commenting on the LVM3-M6 rocket launch, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi described it as a significant stride in India’s space sector.

“The successful LVM3-M6 launch, placing the heaviest satellite ever launched from Indian soil, the spacecraft of USA, BlueBird Block-2, into its intended orbit, marks a proud milestone in India’s space journey. It strengthens India’s heavy-lift launch capability and reinforces our growing role in the global commercial launch market. This is also reflective of our efforts towards an Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Congratulations to our hardworking space scientists and engineers. India continues to soar higher in the world of space,” PM Modi said in a post on ‘X’.

The BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite is developed by AST SpaceMobile, USA, and is part of a next-generation BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite, designed to provide space-based cellular broadband connectivity directly to standard mobile smartphones.

“BlueBird block-2 mission is part of a global LEO constellation to provide direct-to-mobile connectivity through satellite . This constellation will enable 4G and 5G voice and video calls, texts, streaming, and data for everyone, everywhere, at all times. It features a 223m² phased array, making it the largest commercial communications satellite ever deployed into low Earth orbit,” ISRO said.

This was the sixth operational flight of LVM3 and third dedicated commercial mission.

“In its earlier missions, LVM3 successfully launched Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and two OneWeb missions carrying 72 satellites. The previous launch of LVM3 was the LVM3-M5/CMS-03 mission which was successfully accomplished on November 2, 2025,” ISRO said. (Newswire/ The Hindu)

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The government has backtracked on earlier claims about the success of the controversial Supreme SAT project, with Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe telling Parliament today that the statistics previously provided by the Prime Minister were inaccurate.

He said the Board of Investment (BOI) had given incorrect data and that the project had failed, with the much-discussed satellite, commonly referred to as “Chichi’s rocket”, still unaccounted for.

Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe further stated that several discrepancies have been found regarding the Supreme SAT satellite project.

He said that, per current data, Supreme SAT Pvt. Ltd. signed an agreement with the BOI in May 2012 to establish a satellite system and provide telecommunication services, and the project was launched in November of the same year. 

The minister further said that data shows that Rs. 12.14 billion had been declared as assets by the company in 2012, and financial reports of 2013 and 2014 show an investment of nearly Rs. 12 million for a lease-based satellite. 

He pointed out that, however, the financial reports of 2014 and 2015 do not contain details of the previously declared assets, liabilities, and investments, adding that the whereabouts of the satellite also cannot be located.

Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said that this development calls for an investigation into the matter. (Newswire)

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In a giant leap towards creating a strong rocket force, Indian Armed Forces are set to place orders for two more units of Pralay ballistic missiles. 

The ‘Pralay’ missiles will be acquired at cost of over Rs 7,500 crore. The move comes after the Defence Ministry in December last year cleared one unit of these missiles for the Indian Air Force. 

The Pralay ballistic missiles can take out targets at 150 to 500 kms and are extremely difficult to intercept for the enemy. 

The missile has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation. The officials are working to increase the range of these missiles by another few hundred kilometres to give a stronger capability to force.

Both China and Pakistan have ballistic missiles which are for tactical roles. The missile system started getting development around 2015 and its development was given a push by the late Gen Bipin Rawat as COAS. ‘Pralay’ is powered by a solid propellant rocket motor and other new technologies. 

The missile guidance system includes state-of-the-art navigation and integrated avionics. The missile would be first inducted into the Indian Air Force and would be followed by the Indian Army. (ANI)

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