India’s space programme is set to achieve another major commercial milestone as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) prepares to launch a next-generation US communication satellite aboard its heavy-lift LVM3-M6 rocket on Wednesday morning.
The mission, which will place the BlueBird Block-2 spacecraft of US-based AST SpaceMobile into Low Earth Orbit (LEO), marks the sixth operational flight of ISRO’s most powerful rocket and underscores India’s growing role in the global commercial space market.
Launch Details and Mission Profile
According to ISRO, the LVM3-M6 rocket is scheduled to lift off at 8:54 am from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. The satellite is expected to separate from the rocket around 15 minutes after liftoff and will be injected into a circular orbit at an altitude of approximately 600 km.
Weighing 6,100 kg, BlueBird Block-2 will become the heaviest payload ever launched by LVM3 into LEO, setting a new benchmark for the vehicle. The previous record was held by the CMS-03 communication satellite, which weighed around 4,400 kg and was launched into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit in November 2022.
Watch the launch LIVE
Boost to ISRO’s Commercial Ambitions
The launch is being carried out under a commercial agreement between NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)—ISRO’s commercial arm—and AST SpaceMobile, highlighting India’s increasing credibility as a reliable launch partner for global satellite operators.
ISRO Chairman V Narayanan is present at the spaceport to oversee the mission. Earlier this week, he offered prayers at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala, seeking success for the launch.
All About the LVM3 Rocket
Also known as GSLV Mk III, the LVM3 stands 43.5 metres tall and has a lift-off mass of 640 tonnes. The three-stage launch vehicle consists of:
- Two S200 solid strap-on boosters
- A liquid core stage (L110)
- A cryogenic upper stage (C25)
LVM3 has previously powered flagship missions including Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and two OneWeb launches that collectively placed 72 satellites into orbit.
What Is BlueBird Block-2?
BlueBird Block-2 is part of AST SpaceMobile’s global LEO constellation, designed to deliver direct-to-smartphone cellular broadband without requiring any specialised hardware.
The satellite carries a massive 223-square-metre phased-array antenna, making it the largest commercial communications satellite deployed in LEO to date. Once operational, the constellation is expected to enable 4G and 5G voice calls, video calls, messaging, data streaming, and broadband internet from anywhere on Earth.
AST SpaceMobile has already launched five BlueBird satellites in September 2024 and has partnerships with over 50 mobile operators worldwide, positioning the project as a potential game-changer in global connectivity.
A Defining Moment for India’s Space Economy
Today’s launch not only strengthens ISRO’s technical credentials but also reinforces India’s ambition to become a major global hub for commercial satellite launches, with LVM3 emerging as a trusted vehicle for heavy payload missions.