India Launches Heaviest Ever Payload, Boosting Space Ambitions

MUMBAI: India’s space agency, ISRO, successfully launched its heaviest payload to date on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in the country’s growing space program. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the deployment as “a significant stride” for India’s space sector.

The LVM3-M6 rocket carried the US-built AST SpaceMobile communications satellite into low-Earth orbit. The satellite weighs 6,100 kilograms (13,448 pounds), making it the heaviest payload launched from Indian soil.

The launch strengthens India’s heavy-lift capabilities and supports the nation’s ambitions in the commercial satellite market. India is positioning itself as a competitive player in the global space economy, particularly in communications satellites, as businesses increasingly demand high-end connectivity.

Prime Minister Modi said the launch was a “proud milestone in India’s space journey” and noted it reinforces India’s growing role in the global commercial launch market.

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Earlier this year, ISRO launched the CMS-03 communication satellite, weighing 4,410 kilograms. For these heavy payloads, India is using an upgraded version of the rocket that carried an unmanned lunar mission in August 2023.

India plans to continue its ambitious space program, including an uncrewed orbital mission and the country’s first human spaceflight in 2027, with long-term plans to send an astronaut to the Moon by 2040.

The launch highlights India’s rise as a major spacefaring nation, achieving advanced milestones at a fraction of the cost compared to other established space powers.