India’s space agency on December 24 carried out a major commercial launch, placing a next-generation US communications satellite into low Earth orbit using its heaviest rocket, in a mission seen as a boost for satellite-based mobile connectivity.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) launched the BlueBird Block-2 satellite aboard the LVM3-M6 mission at 8.55 am from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, about 135 km east of Chennai. The liftoff followed the completion of a 24-hour countdown.
The 43.5-metre-tall LVM3 rocket, equipped with two S200 solid strap-on boosters, lifted off without a hitch and completed its powered flight in around 15 minutes. ISRO said the satellite would separate from the launch vehicle and be placed into a circular orbit at an altitude of approximately 520 km.
The mission was executed under a commercial contract between NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, and US-based AST SpaceMobile. BlueBird Block-2 is part of AST SpaceMobile’s low Earth orbit constellation aimed at providing direct-to-mobile connectivity from space.
Described as a key technology demonstrator, the satellite is designed to support 4G and 5G voice and video calls, messaging, streaming and data services directly on standard mobile phones, without requiring specialised ground infrastructure.
With a phased-array antenna spanning 223 square metres, BlueBird Block-2 is the largest commercial communications satellite placed in low Earth orbit so far. The broader constellation is planned to operate at altitudes of around 600 km, offering near-global coverage.
ISRO officials said the launch time was adjusted from 8.54 am to 8.55 am to ensure accurate orbital insertion. Earlier schedules had placed the liftoff later in the day, but timings were advanced after mission reviews.
The successful mission underlines India’s growing role in the global commercial launch market and reinforces ISRO’s credentials as a reliable provider of heavy-lift launch services.