ISRO’s heavy-lift rocket LVM3 will launch the next-generation BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite on December 24, 2025, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
The launch is scheduled for around 8:54 am IST and will place the satellite in a low Earth orbit at an altitude of about 520 km. BlueBird Block-2 is built by US-based AST SpaceMobile and is designed to beam 4G and 5G signals directly to normal mobile phones without any special antennas or new hardware.
Weighing nearly 6–6.5 tonnes, it will be the heaviest communication satellite ever launched by India and among the largest commercial satellites deployed in low Earth orbit. Once in orbit, the satellite will unfold a massive phased-array antenna of about 223–2400 square feet, enabling wide-area coverage with high-speed data links up to around 120 Mbps.
This mission is the ninth flight of LVM3 and marks ISRO’s 101st launch, highlighting India’s growing role as a trusted and cost-effective launch partner for global space companies. The satellite aims to reduce the digital divide by bringing mobile connectivity to remote regions, including mountains, deserts, oceans, and rural areas with poor or no network coverage.
By successfully launching BlueBird Block-2, India strengthens its commercial space portfolio while deepening space cooperation with the United States and private space players like AST SpaceMobile.
FAQs [Frequently Asked Questions]
Q1. What is the BlueBird Block-2 satellite?
BlueBird Block-2 is a next-generation communication satellite built by AST SpaceMobile to provide direct 4G and 5G broadband connectivity from space to regular mobile phones, especially in remote and underserved regions.
Q2. Why is this LVM3 mission important for India?
The mission carries ISRO’s heaviest-ever commercial payload, showcases LVM3’s high-lift capability, boosts India’s position in the global launch market, and supports international collaborations in satellite-based mobile broadband services.
Q3. How will BlueBird Block-2 improve connectivity for users?
The satellite will use a large phased-array antenna to create thousands of signal cells, providing high-speed voice, data, and video services directly to unmodified smartphones, even in areas without terrestrial mobile towers.