ISRO BlueBird Block-2 Mission, the LVM3-M6 launch, the BlueBird Block-2 satellite and its role in enabling space-based mobile broadband connectivity

By R Anil Kumar

Bengaluru, December 24, 2025. LVM3-M6 successfully launched the BlueBird Block-2 spacecraft from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota (ISRO).

ISRO’s LVM3-M6, also known as the BlueBird Block-2 Mission, is a dedicated commercial launch on the LVM3 rocket that placed the BlueBird Block-2.

ISRO’s heavy-lift rocket LVM3 launched a US communications satellite, BlueBird Block-2 (AST SpaceMobile), on December 24 at 8:55 AM (Indian Standard Time) from Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

Mission: LVM3-M6 placed the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into orbit as a dedicated commercial launch. It’s the 6th operational flight of the LVM3 rocket, underlining India’s growing role in commercial space launches.

BlueBird Block-2 is part of a new generation of satellites that enables space-based cellular broadband services. These allow direct connectivity to regular mobile smartphones without the need for specialised equipment.

BlueBird Block-2 basics

Owner: AST SpaceMobile (US-based)

Satellite’s aim: Support cellular broadband from space and enable direct-to-phone service.

Where it’s going: Low Earth Orbit (LEO) — roughly 160 km to 1,600 km above Earth.

• Largest commercial communications satellite to be placed in Low earth orbit (LEO)
• Heaviest payload launched by LVM3 from Indian territory
• LVM3 is ISRO’s “heavy mover” with three stages:
• Two solid boosters (S200)
• One liquid core stage (L110)
• One cryogenic upper stage (C25)

LVM3 has flown major missions like Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3, plus two OneWeb missions that deployed 72 satellites. Its most recent flight was LVM3-M5/CMS-03 on Nov 2, 2025.

Numbers to remember

Launch time: Dec 24, 8:55 am IST

Rocket size: 43.5 metres tall and around 640 tonnes

Capacity: Up to 4,200 kg to GTO (a high-energy orbit route used for some satellites).

What to look for

The key moment after liftoff: When the rocket deploys the satellite into LEO. Then it’s all about how well the satellite performs its direct-to-phone connectivity goals over time.

The mission represents the sixth operational flight of the LVM3 launch vehicle, further underlining India’s growing role in commercial space launches.

The mission was launched at 8:55 AM on December 24, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

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