ISRO BlueBird Block-2 launch: Here's how you can watch LVM3-M6 liftoff from Sriharikota tomorrow
Posted on: Dec 23, 2025 14:48 IST | Posted by: Livemint
ISRO has begun the countdown for the set in motion of the LVM3-M6 skyrocket, which testament take the BlueBird Block-2 space vehicle, a new-generation US communication satellite.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said that this historic mission would deploy the next-generation communication satellite designed to provide high-speed cellular broadband directly to smartphones worldwide.
The ISRO BlueBird Block-2 spacecraft is scheduled to launch at 8.54 AM IST from the second launch pad at Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota spaceport on Wednesday, December 24.
After a flight of about 15 minutes from liftoff, the Bluebird Block-2 satellite is expected to separate from the launch vehicle.
BlueBird Block-2 mission is being undertaken as part of the commercial agreement signed between NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO, and US-based AST SpaceMobile (AST and Science, LLC).
The Wednesday mission is part of a global LEO constellation to provide direct-to-mobile connectivity through satellite. This constellation would enable 4G and 5G voice and video calls, texts, streaming and data for everyone, everywhere, at all times.
It features a 223 m² phased array, making it the largest commercial communications satellite ever deployed into low Earth Orbit, at an altitude of approximately 600km.
Weighing 6,100 kg, the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite would be the heaviest payload to be placed into the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in LVM3 launch history, ISRO said.
This dedicated commercial mission of the Bengaluru-headquartered space agency marks the 6th operational flight of its heavy-lift launch vehicle LVM3.
The previous heaviest was the LVM3-M5 Communication Satellite 03, weighing about 4,400 kg that was successfully launched by ISRO on November 2.
AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network, which is accessible directly by smartphones and designed for both commercial and government applications.
AST SpaceMobile had launched five satellites, BlueBird 1-5 in September 2024 which provide continuous internet coverage across the United States and other select countries.
The company has planned to launch similar satellites to augment its network support and has partnered with over 50 mobile operators across the globe.
(With agency inputs)
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