ISRO Set to Launch BlueBird Block-2 Satellite on December 24
6.5-tonne BlueBird-6 to be launched aboard LVM3 in second major ISRO–US commercial collaboration
New Delhi, Dec 22: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Monday announced that it is fully prepared to launch the BlueBird Block-2 satellite on December 24 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
The mission will place the BlueBird Block-2 satellite also known as BlueBird-6 into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) using ISRO’s heavy lift launch vehicle LVM3. Weighing around 6.5 tonnes, BlueBird-6 is among the heaviest commercial satellites ever launched, underscoring ISRO’s growing role in global commercial space missions.
The satellite arrived in India from the United States on October 19. ISRO shared details of the upcoming mission on social media, stating: “Meet #LVM3M ISRO’s operational heavy-lift launch vehicle with a proven record of reliable missions. Ready to deliver BlueBird Block-2 to Low Earth Orbit.”
Developed by US-based AST SpaceMobile, BlueBird-6 will feature the largest commercial phased-array antenna deployed in LEO, spanning nearly 2,400 square feet. According to the company, the satellite is 3.5 times larger than earlier BlueBird satellites and offers ten times higher data capacity.
This mission marks the second major collaboration between ISRO and US partners in recent months. In July, ISRO successfully launched the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission, valued at $1.5 billion, designed to deliver high-resolution Earth imaging capable of penetrating clouds, fog, and ice.
AST SpaceMobile has already deployed five satellites BlueBird 1 to 5 in September 2024 and has partnerships with over 50 mobile operators worldwide to expand its space based connectivity network.
The upcoming launch is being managed by ISRO’s commercial arm, New Space India Limited (NSIL). The LVM3 launch vehicle comprises two solid strap-on motors (S200), a liquid core stage (L110), and a cryogenic upper stage (C25). It has a lift-off mass of 640 tonnes, stands 43.5 metres tall, and can carry payloads of up to 4,200 kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.
Earlier this year, LVM3 successfully launched India’s heaviest satellite, CMS-3, weighing 4.4 tonnes, on November 2. The vehicle has also powered landmark missions including Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and two OneWeb missions carrying 72 satellites.
The BlueBird Block-2 launch further strengthens ISRO’s credentials as a reliable partner for high-value global commercial satellite missions.
