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India launches heaviest commercial satellite into orbit (Video)

India has successfully launched its heaviest-ever commercial communications satellite, marking a major milestone for its expanding space industry.

The Indian Space Research Organisation’s LVM3 ‘Baahubali’ rocket lifted off from Sriharikota, placing the US-built BlueBird Block-2 satellite into low Earth orbit under a commercial agreement with AST SpaceMobile.

ISRO confirmed the satellite was precisely injected into its intended orbit after separating from the rocket about 15 minutes into the mission. Designed to beam cellular broadband directly to ordinary smartphones without specialised equipment, the satellite highlights India’s growing role in global commercial launches.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the mission as a boost to self-reliance and future innovation, while ISRO said it strengthens capabilities for upcoming human spaceflight and international partnerships. The launch also supports India’s goal of rapidly scaling spacecraft production and significantly increasing its share of the global space market by 2030.

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