ISRO Set to Launch BlueBird Block-2 Communication Satellite on Wednesday
ISRO Set to Launch BlueBird Block-2 Communication Satellite on Wednesday
ISRO Set to Launch BlueBird Block-2 Communication Satellite on Wednesday
ISRO starts a 24-hour countdown for AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird-6 launch from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, aiming for 8:54 AM IST as it advances global satellite connectivity.
Indian space agency ISRO has started the 24-hour countdown to the launch of US firm AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird-6 satellite. The launch is set for Wednesday, December 24th. The three-stage LVM3 rocket, which is India's most capable space vehicle, will lift off from the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at 8:54 AM Indian Time on Wednesday. The satellite will be placed into orbit 520 kilometers above the Earth, just 16 minutes after liftoff.
Fueling, system checks, approvals, and other sequential tasks that synchronize hundreds of people and automated systems are all part of the countdown to a rocket launch. It is an essential operational checklist that validates every process. The ninth mission of LVM-3, BlueBird Block 2, will be Isro's 101st launch, the Indian space agency's fifth project in 2025, and the year's 316th orbital launch attempt.
In September 2024, AST SpaceMobile launched BlueBird 1–5, five satellites that will provide uninterrupted internet coverage throughout the United States and a few other countries. The US-based company has partnered with more than 50 mobile operators worldwide and intends to launch similar satellites to enhance its network support. AST SpaceMobile has scheduled the launch of Bluebird Block-2, a next-generation communication satellite intended to provide 24/7 high-speed cellular broadband direct to smartphones across the globe.
With its 223 m2 phased array, the BlueBird Block-2 satellite is the biggest commercial communication satellite ever launched into low Earth orbit. As part of the contract between NewSpace India Ltd. and AST SpaceMobile (AST & Science, LLC), ISRO claims the mission would be a dedicated commercial launch. The commercial division of ISRO, which has its headquarters in Bengaluru, is called NewSpace India Ltd.
As part of the global Low Earth Orbit constellation, the BlueBird block-2 mission uses a satellite to deliver direct-to-mobile connectivity. According to ISRO, this constellation would make it possible for anyone at any time to use 4G and 5G voice and video calls, texts, streaming, and data. The heaviest payload to be launched into Low Earth Orbit in LVM3 rocket's history would be the BlueBird Block-2 spacecraft.
Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and two OneWeb missions with 72 satellites have all been successfully launched by the LVM3 rocket. On November 2, 2025, ISRO successfully launched the communication satellite as part of the LVM3-M5/CMS-03 mission, which was its most recent launch. This mission further highlights India’s expanding capabilities in space technology and ISRO’s commitment to providing reliable and cost-effective satellite solutions.
