This mission, which was the first dedicated commercial launch for US-based AST SpaceMobile, also marked the 104th launch from Sriharikota and the 9th successful flight of the LVM-3 launch vehicle. PIC/ AFP

ISRO Chairman V Narayanan on Wednesday lauded the successful launch of the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite, describing it as the heaviest satellite ever launched from Indian soil using an Indian rocket. PIC/ AFP

The satellite was precisely placed into its designated orbit, following which the mission was declared a success. The launch took place at 8:55 am IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. PIC/ PTI

The mission carries a next-generation communication satellite designed to deliver high-speed cellular broadband directly to smartphones across the globe. Notably, BlueBird Block-2 is the heaviest payload ever launched into Low Earth Orbit by ISRO’s LVM3 rocket, underscoring the growing capabilities of India’s heavy-lift launch systems. PIC/ PTI

LVM3, developed by ISRO, is a three-stage launch vehicle comprising two solid strap-on motors (S200), a liquid core stage (L110), and a cryogenic upper stage (C25). It has a lift-off mass of 640 tonnes, a height of 43.5 meters, and a payload capability of 4,200 kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). PIC/ PTI