India has successfully launched its heaviest-ever payload from domestic soil, marking a major milestone in the country’s space programme. The LVM3-M6 rocket placed the US-built AST SpaceMobile communications satellite into low-Earth orbit, according to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
ISRO described the mission as the heaviest payload launched from India, with the satellite weighing 6,100 kilograms. The spacecraft was carried aboard a modified version of the LVM3 rocket, which India plans to deploy for future uncrewed orbital missions and human spaceflight programmes.
The launch provides a significant boost to India’s low-cost space ambitions and strengthens its heavy-lift launch capabilities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the mission marked a proud milestone in India’s space journey, noting that it reinforces the country’s growing role in the global commercial launch market.
India is positioning itself to capture a larger share of the rapidly expanding commercial satellite sector, as global demand rises for advanced phone, internet, and communications services. Earlier this year, ISRO also launched the CMS-03 communications satellite, which weighed approximately 4,410 kilograms, underscoring the rapid scaling of India’s launch capacity.
The mission highlights India’s intent to serve both domestic and international customers while advancing its long-term goals in human spaceflight and commercial space services.
