PM Modi on Wednesday, lauded the successful LVM3-M6 launch as a major boost to India’s youth-driven space programme, stressing its role in strengthening future missions like Gaganyaan describing it as “a significant stride in India’s space sector” and a proud landmark in the country’s unfolding space journey.
Sharing a video of the launch on X, the Prime Minister said the mission underscored India’s growing heavy-lift launch capability and reinforced its role in the global commercial launch market.
In his post PM Modi mentioned that the successful LVM3-M6 launch, placing the heaviest satellite ever launched from Indian soil, the spacecraft of USA, BlueBird Block-2, into its intended orbit, marks a proud milestone in India’s space journey.
Adding that the accomplishment “strengthens India’s heavy-lift launch capability and reinforces our growing role in the global commercial launch market.
Highlighting the broader significance of the mission, the Prime Minister said it was also reflective of the country’s push towards self-reliance.
And that this is also reflective of our efforts towards an Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Congratulations to our hardworking space scientists and engineers. concluding with the message, he wrote “India continues to soar higher in the world of space!”
In a second post on X, PM Modi emphasised the contribution of young Indians to the country’s space programme and linked the success of LVM3-M6 to future ambitions.
“Powered by India’s youth, our space programme is getting more advanced and impactful,” he said.
The Prime Minister noted that with LVM3 demonstrating “reliable heavy-lift performance,” India is “strengthening the foundations for future missions such as Gaganyaan, expanding commercial launch services and deepening global partnerships.”
He further added that the enhanced capability and increased self-reliance would be “wonderful for the coming generations.”
The Prime Minister’s remarks came after ISRO successfully carried out the LVM3-M6 launch on Christmas Eve, marking a historic milestone for India’s space programme.
As per news agency,the 43.5-metre-tall LVM3-M6 rocket lifted off at 8.54 am from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
Following a flight of about 15 minutes, the vehicle successfully placed the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite into its intended orbit.
The mission was executed as part of a commercial agreement between NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO, and US-based AST SpaceMobile.
The Bengaluru-headquartered space agency confirmed that the LVM3-M6 had successfully deployed the spacecraft, which weighs 6,100 kg, making it the heaviest payload ever launched into Low Earth Orbit by an LVM3 rocket from Indian soil.
ISRO said the previous heaviest payload launched by LVM3 was the Communication Satellite-03, weighing about 4,400 kg, which was placed into a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit on November 2.
A news agency further reported that the BlueBird Block-2 mission, is aimed at deploying a next-generation communication satellite designed to provide high-speed cellular broadband directly to smartphones.
The LVM3-M6, also known as the GSLV-MkIII, is a three-stage rocket featuring a cryogenic engine developed by ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre and two S200 solid rocket boosters developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.
News Edit KV Raman
