Preparing for a huge satellite launch with the Baahubali rocket

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to achieve another major milestone in commercial satellite launches. Using its heavy-lift LVM3 rocket, popularly known as “Bahubali,” ISRO is preparing to launch the next-generation American communication satellite BlueBird Block-2.

The launch is scheduled for Wednesday at 8:54 AM from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The 24-hour countdown began on Tuesday morning. Carrying a massive payload of 6,400 kilograms, the LVM3-M6 rocket will deploy the satellite into Low Earth Orbit within just over 15 minutes of liftoff.

This mission is part of a commercial agreement with US-based AST SpaceMobile. If successful, it will mark the first time such a heavy satellite is launched from Indian soil, setting a new national record and surpassing ISRO’s previous payload benchmark.

The mission further strengthens ISRO’s reputation as a reliable and competitive player in the global commercial launch market.