The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into Low Earth Orbit on Wednesday from the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
It was the organisation’s heaviest 43.5-metre tall-rocket, LVM3-M6, which placed the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into orbit about 15 minutes after lift-off at 8.54 am in a historic Christmas Eve mission.
The BlueBird Block-2 satellite is the largest commercial communications satellite to be deployed in Low Orbit Earth, and also the heaviest payload to be launched by LVM3 from Indian soil, said the Bengaluru-headquartered space agency.
The previous heaviest was the LVM3-M5 Communication Satellite 03, weighing about 4,400 kg that was successfully launched by ISRO on November 2 in the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
The spacecraft was launched as part of a deal between NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) – the commercial arm of the ISRO – and US-based AST SpaceMobile (AST and Science, LLC), which developed the satellite.
The next-generation communication satellite is designed to provide space-based high-speed cellular broadband directly to smartphones.
“BlueBird Block-2 mission is part of a global LEO constellation to provide direct-to-mobile connectivity through satellite. This constellation will enable 4G and 5G voice and video calls, texts, streaming, and data for everyone, everywhere, at all times. It features a 223 metre square phased array, making it the largest commercial communications satellite ever deployed into low Earth orbit,” ISRO said.
Also Read: ISRO BlueBird Block-2 launch: Countdown begins
AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only space-based cellular broadbank network, which is accessible directly by smartphones and designed for both commercial and government applications.
The LVM3-M6 also known as the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-MkIII) is a three-stage rocket with a cryogenic engine designed and developed by ISRO’ Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre. It uses two S200 solid rocket boosters to provide the huge amount of thrust required for lift off, with the booster having been developed indigenously by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram.
This was the sixth operational flight of LVM3 and third dedicated commercial mission. AST SpaceMobile said it has launched five satellites, Bluebird 1-5 in September 2024, which provide continuous coverage across the United States and other select countries.
“In its earlier missions, LVM3 successfully launched Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and two OneWeb missions carrying 72 satellites. The previous launch of LVM3 was the LVM3-M5/CMS-03 mission which was successfully accomplished on November 2, 2025,” ISRO said.
AST SpaceMobile has planned to launch similar satellites to augment its network support and has partnered with over 50 mobile operators across the globe.
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