ISRO to Launch AST BlueBird-2 Satellite

Why in News ?

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch AST SpaceMobile’s advanced BlueBird Block-2 satellite using its heavy-lift LVM3 rocket on December 24, 2025, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, under a commercial agreement facilitated by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).

Background and Context

India’s space programme has progressively transitioned from being purely state-driven to a commercially competitive global launch service provider. With the creation of NSIL, ISRO’s commercial arm, India has positioned itself as a reliable partner for international satellite operators.

Simultaneously, global demand for space-based broadband and direct-to-smartphone connectivity has surged, driven by the need to bridge digital divides in remote and underserved regions. The LVM3-M6 mission reflects the convergence of these trends—India’s heavy-lift launch capability and next-generation global telecom satellites.

About the LVM3-M6 Mission

• Launch Vehicle: LVM3 (India’s heavy-lift launch vehicle)
• Mission Designation: LVM3-M6
• Launch Date: December 24, 2025
• Launch Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota
• Commercial Facilitator: NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)

This mission marks another step in ISRO’s expanding role in commercial satellite deployment for global clients.

About BlueBird Block-2 Satellite

• Developed by AST SpaceMobile (USA)
• Designed to deliver high-capacity space-based cellular broadband
• Enables direct smartphone connectivity without reliance on ground-based cell towers
• Operates in Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

Key Technological Features

• Equipped with a massive phased-array communications system (~2,400 square feet)
• Among the largest commercial communications arrays deployed in LEO
• Supports higher data throughput and continuous wide-area coverage

Significance of the Mission

For India / ISRO

• Strengthens ISRO’s credentials as a global commercial launch provider
• Demonstrates the operational maturity of LVM3 for international commercial missions
• Enhances NSIL’s role in integrating India into the global space economy

For India–US Space Cooperation

• Reflects deepening Indo-US collaboration in advanced space technologies
• Expands cooperation beyond government missions to commercial satellite ecosystems

For Global Connectivity

• Supports AST SpaceMobile’s goal of universal cellular broadband coverage
• Helps bridge connectivity gaps in remote, rural, and disaster-prone regions

Broader Implications

• Reinforces India’s position in the LEO satellite launch market, alongside emerging global players
• Aligns with India’s vision of becoming a major space services hub under space sector reforms
• Contributes to the global shift towards Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite communication