NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed Isro’s successful launch of LVM3-M6, which placed the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into its intended orbit, saying that “India continues to soar higher” further calling the mission a “proud milestone” in the country’s space journey.Congratulating Isro’s scientists and engineers, the prime minister said the achievement underlined India’s growing capabilities in the space sector and its push towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Sharing a post on X, PM Modi said, “A significant stride in India’s space sector… 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.””It strengthens India’s heavy-lift launch capability and reinforces our growing role in the global commercial launch market. This is also reflective of our efforts towards an Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Congratulations to our hardworking space scientists and engineers.” “India continues to soar higher in the world of space!” he declared. In a separate post, the prime minister highlighted the role of young scientists, saying, “Powered by India’s youth, our space programme is getting more advanced and impactful.” “With LVM3 demonstrating reliable heavy-lift performance, we are strengthening the foundations for future missions such as Gaganyaan, expanding commercial launch services and deepening global partnerships,” he said.”This increased capability and boost to self-reliance are wonderful for the coming generations,” he added.The prime minister’s remarks came after Isro’s heavy-lift rocket LVM3 successfully placed the US communications satellite BlueBird Block-2 into Earth orbit in an early-morning launch from Sriharikota.Isro chairman V. Narayanan said, “This is the heaviest satellite to be launched by an Indian launcher in Indian soil. This is also the first back-to-back LVM3 launch missions within a period of 52 days. With this, Isro has placed 434 satellites for 34 countries.”Weighing 6,100 kg, BlueBird Block-2 is the heaviest payload launched by LVM3, which completed its sixth operational flight and third dedicated commercial mission. The 43.5-metre-tall, 640-tonne rocket lifted off from the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, injecting the satellite into a circular orbit of around 520 km about 16 minutes after liftoff.
