Isro is set to launch its powerful LVM3 “Bahubali” rocket on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, from Sriharikota, carrying the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into Low-Earth Orbit and marking a key milestone for India’s commercial space launch capability.
What Makes LVM3 India’s Bahubali Rocket
The LVM3, earlier called Gaganyaan Mark-III, is Isro’s heaviest and most powerful rocket. It stands about 43.5 metres tall, similar to a 14-storey building, and weighs nearly 640 tonnes at lift-off. Because of its size and strength, it is widely known as “Bahubali.”
The rocket uses a three-stage design to carry heavy payloads into space. The first stage includes two S200 solid strap-on boosters that generate massive thrust to lift the vehicle off the ground. These boosters provide most of the power during the initial phase of flight before separating.
After this, the L110 liquid core stage takes over. Using liquid fuel, it continues pushing the rocket upward while maintaining speed and stability as it moves through the atmosphere. Once its fuel is used up, this stage also separates.
The final stage is the C25 cryogenic upper stage, which runs on super-cooled liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. This highly efficient stage gives the precise push needed to place satellites into their intended orbits.
The LVM3 has already demonstrated its reliability by successfully launching missions such as Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and two OneWeb missions, helping establish India as a dependable space launch provider.
BlueBird Block-2 and the Commercial Space Milestone
The main passenger on the LVM3-M6 mission is the BlueBird Block-2 satellite. This satellite is being launched as part of a dedicated commercial mission through NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), Isro’s commercial arm, in partnership with a US-based space communications company.
BlueBird Block-2 is no ordinary satellite. Weighing around 6,100 kilograms, it is the heaviest payload ever launched by the LVM3 from Indian soil. It is also described as the largest commercial communications satellite ever placed in Low-Earth Orbit. During the mission, the satellite will be deployed into a circular orbit about 520 kilometres above Earth, inclined at 53 degrees. At separation, it will be travelling at a speed of nearly 7.6 kilometres per second.
One of the most striking features of the BlueBird Block-2 satellite is its massive phased array antenna. Covering an area of 223 square metres, this antenna sets a new record in its category. A phased array allows the satellite to send and receive signals electronically without moving parts, making communication faster and more reliable.
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The satellite is designed to support direct space-based cellular broadband connectivity. In simple terms, this means mobile phones on the ground can connect directly to satellites without needing cell towers in remote areas. The technology is aimed at providing 4G and 5G services such as voice calls, video calls, messaging, streaming, and internet data to standard smartphones.
By placing such a large and complex satellite into Low-Earth Orbit, the LVM3-M6 mission demonstrates the rocket’s ability to handle challenging commercial payloads. This mission highlights India’s capability to support advanced global communication systems using its own launch infrastructure.
Christmas Eve Launch Details and Mission Sequence
The LVM3-M6 mission is scheduled to launch on December 24, 2025, at 8:54 am IST from the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, making it a high-profile Christmas Eve event. The mission will mark the sixth flight of Isro’s LVM3 rocket and its third dedicated commercial launch.
At lift-off, the two S200 solid strap-on boosters will ignite first, generating massive thrust to propel the rocket off the launch pad. After burning for a few minutes, these boosters will separate, allowing the L110 liquid core stage to take over. This stage will continue driving the rocket upward, maintaining speed and stability as it ascends through the atmosphere.
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Once the L110 stage completes its burn, it will separate and the C25 cryogenic upper stage will ignite. This final stage will provide the precise push needed to place the satellite into its planned orbit. After reaching the required altitude and velocity, the cryogenic engine will shut down.
The BlueBird Block-2 satellite will then separate from the rocket at an altitude of over 520 kilometres, completing the primary mission. This launch highlights India’s growing role in the global commercial launch market and showcases the LVM3’s proven capability to deliver large and complex satellites for international customers.
