ISRO is set to launch the heaviest US commercial satellite, BlueBird-6, on December 15, 2025, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The launch will be carried out using ISRO’s powerful Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3), also known as Bahubali.
BlueBird-6, developed by the US-based company AST SpaceMobile, weighs about 6.5 tonnes, making it one of the heaviest commercial satellites ever placed into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) by ISRO. The satellite features the largest commercial phased array in LEO, covering nearly 2,400 square feet—about the size of a tennis court. This is 3.5 times larger than its predecessors and supports 10 times more data capacity.
The main goal of BlueBird-6 is to offer direct-to-device mobile broadband connectivity. It will provide fast and reliable internet and communication services directly to smartphones globally, even in remote areas with poor terrestrial networks. This satellite is part of a series intended to create global cellular broadband coverage from space, bridging the digital divide.
It arrived in India from the US on October 19 for final integration and testing before launch. The LVM3 rocket used for this mission can carry heavy payloads up to geosynchronous and low Earth orbits, and has a lift-off mass of 640 tonnes. This launch highlights ISRO’s growing role in the global commercial satellite market.
FAQs [Frequently Asked Questions]
- What is the BlueBird-6 satellite and when will ISRO launch it?
BlueBird-6 is a 6.5-tonne US commercial communication satellite featuring the largest commercial phased array in low Earth orbit. ISRO plans to launch it on December 15, 2025, using its LVM3 rocket. - What is special about BlueBird-6’s technology?
It offers 3.5 times the antenna size and 10 times the data capacity of earlier satellites, enabling direct broadband coverage to smartphones worldwide, including remote and underserved areas. - How does this launch benefit India and global connectivity?
The launch strengthens ISRO’s position in commercial space markets and supports global efforts to provide universal mobile internet access, reducing the digital divide. It also demonstrates India’s heavy-lift launch capabilities.