- KR Bharat
- 2025-12-23
Countdown Begins for ISRO’s BlueBird Block-2 Mission Launch from Sriharikota
Sriharikota: The 24-hour countdown for the launch of ISRO’s LVM3-M6 rocket carrying the next-generation BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite began on Tuesday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced.
In a dedicated commercial mission, ISRO is scheduled to launch the 6,100-kg BlueBird Block-2 spacecraft at 8.54 am on Wednesday from the second launch pad at Sriharikota. This will be the heaviest payload ever launched by the LVM3 into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The previous record was held by the LVM3-M5 Communication Satellite-03, which weighed around 4,400 kg.
The mission is being undertaken under a commercial agreement between NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)—ISRO’s commercial arm—and US-based AST SpaceMobile. The satellite is designed to provide high-speed cellular broadband directly to smartphones worldwide, enabling 4G and 5G voice calls, video calls, messaging, streaming, and data services without the need for ground towers.
AST SpaceMobile is building the world’s first space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly on standard smartphones for both commercial and government applications. BlueBird Block-2 is part of a global LEO constellation, featuring a 223 square metre phased array, making it the largest commercial communications satellite ever deployed in low Earth orbit, at an altitude of about 600 km.
Ahead of the launch, ISRO Chairman V Narayanan offered prayers at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala on December 23.
The 43.5-metre-tall LVM3 (Gaganyaan rocket) is a three-stage heavy-lift launch vehicle with a cryogenic upper stage developed by ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre. It uses two powerful S200 solid rocket boosters, developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, to provide the thrust required for liftoff.
After a flight duration of about 15 minutes, the BlueBird Block-2 satellite is expected to separate from the launch vehicle and be placed into its designated orbit.
AST SpaceMobile has already launched five BlueBird satellites in September 2024, providing continuous internet coverage across the United States and select regions. The company plans further launches to expand its global network and has partnerships with over 50 mobile operators worldwide, marking a significant step toward universal direct-to-mobile connectivity.
