ISRO’s LVM3 to launch AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird-2 satellite on Dec 24 in commercial mission
New Delhi, December 22. ISRO’s heavy-lift rocket LVM3 is set to launch the BlueBird Block-2 satellite on December 24 under a commercial agreement with US-based AST SpaceMobile, marking a significant step in space-enabled mobile connectivity.
The mission, designated LVM3 M6, will place the next-generation communications satellite into low Earth orbit, news agency PTI reported. BlueBird Block-2 is designed to deliver high-speed cellular broadband directly to standard smartphones, without the need for specialised ground equipment.
AST SpaceMobile is developing what it describes as the world’s first space-based cellular broadband network, aimed at supporting both commercial and government users. The company had earlier launched five satellites – BlueBird 1 to 5 – in September 2024, enabling continuous internet coverage across the US and select other regions.
ISRO said the upcoming launch is a dedicated commercial mission under an agreement between AST SpaceMobile (AST & Science, LLC) and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Bengaluru-headquartered space agency.
The BlueBird Block-2 satellite is part of a larger global low Earth orbit constellation intended to provide direct-to-mobile connectivity. Once fully deployed, the network is expected to support 4G and 5G voice and video calls, messaging, streaming and data services anytime and anywhere, ISRO added.
