The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has successfully launched the US-based AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite aboard its LVM3-M6 rocket, marking the heaviest commercial payload ever deployed from Indian soil. The launch took place on December 24, 2025, at 8:55 am IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
The mission placed the 6,100 kg BlueBird Block-2 satellite into Low Earth Orbit at an altitude of approximately 518–520 km after a 15-minute flight. The satellite is designed to deliver continuous cellular broadband coverage directly to smartphones, enabling 4G and 5G voice, video calls, messaging, and streaming without the need for ground towers.
This dedicated commercial mission was executed under an agreement between AST SpaceMobile and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm. The launch represents ISRO’s largest commercial mission to date, strengthening India’s position in the global space market and showcasing the capabilities of its heavy-lift LVM3 rocket, popularly known as Bahubali.
AST SpaceMobile has partnered with more than 50 mobile operators worldwide to expand its space-based cellular broadband network. The BlueBird Block-2 satellite adds to the company’s constellation, following the launch of five BlueBird satellites in 2024, and is a critical step toward building the world’s first space-based cellular broadband system accessible on standard mobile phones.
ISRO officials hailed the mission as a milestone in India’s commercial space journey, highlighting the growing demand for satellite-based communication services. The successful deployment underscores India’s ability to deliver complex, high-value missions for international clients while advancing its own technological capabilities.
