Countdown Begins for ISRO’s BlueBird Block-2 Commercial Mission from Sriharikota

Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh), Dec 23: The 24-hour countdown has begun for the launch of ISRO’s LVM3-M6 rocket, which will carry the next-generation US communication satellite BlueBird Block-2, the space agency announced on Tuesday.

ISRO is scheduled to launch the satellite at 8.54 am on Wednesday from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, as part of a dedicated commercial mission.

Weighing 6,100 kg, BlueBird Block-2 will be the heaviest payload placed into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) by the LVM3 rocket so far. The previous heaviest payload launched by LVM3 was the Communication Satellite-03, weighing about 4,400 kg, on November 2.

The mission is being undertaken under a commercial agreement between NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL)—ISRO’s commercial arm—and US-based AST SpaceMobile.

The satellite is designed to provide high-speed cellular broadband directly to smartphones worldwide, supporting both commercial and government applications. BlueBird Block-2 is part of a global LEO constellation aimed at enabling 4G and 5G voice and video calls, messaging, streaming and data services anywhere and at any time.

ISRO said the 43.5-metre-tall LVM3, also known as Gaganyaan launch vehicle or GSLV Mk-III, is a three-stage rocket powered by a cryogenic engine developed by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, with two S200 solid rocket boosters built by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.

After a flight of around 15 minutes, the satellite is expected to separate from the launch vehicle and be placed into an orbit of about 600 km altitude. The spacecraft features a 223-square-metre phased array, making it the largest commercial communications satellite ever deployed in LEO.

Ahead of the launch, ISRO Chairman V Narayanan offered prayers at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala on December 23.

AST SpaceMobile had earlier launched five satellites—BlueBird-1 to BlueBird-5—in September 2024, providing continuous internet coverage across the United States and select other countries. The company plans additional launches to expand its network and has partnered with over 50 mobile operators worldwide. (Agencies)