India’s space agency, ISRO, has successfully launched its heaviest-ever payload, marking a major milestone for the country’s growing space ambitions.
The launch took place on Wednesday using the LVM3-M6 rocket, which carried the U.S.-built AST SpaceMobile communications satellite into low-Earth orbit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the mission as “a significant stride” for India’s space sector.
Weighing 6,100 kilograms, the satellite is the heaviest payload ever launched from Indian soil. ISRO said the mission demonstrates India’s enhanced heavy-lift launch capability and strengthens its position in the global commercial space market.
The satellite was launched aboard a modified version of the rocket that India plans to use for future missions, including uncrewed orbital flights and human spaceflight. The launch follows earlier successes, including the CMS-03 communications satellite and India’s unmanned Moon mission in 2023.
India is increasingly competing in the commercial satellite industry, offering cost-effective launch services as global demand for advanced communication networks continues to rise.
Prime Minister Modi called the launch “a proud milestone in India’s space journey,” adding that it reinforces India’s expanding role in the international space economy.
India plans to conduct an uncrewed orbital mission ahead of its first human spaceflight, targeted for 2027, with long-term goals including sending an astronaut to the Moon by 2040.
