ISRO’s Bluebird Block-2 Mission Launch Countdown Begins at Sriharikota
Countdown Begins for India’s Heaviest Commercial Payload to Deliver Global Direct-to-Mobile Connectivity
Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh), Dec 23: The countdown has officially begun for the launch of ISRO’s LVM3-M6 rocket, which will carry the next-generation US communication satellite, Bluebird Block-2, into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Scheduled for liftoff at 8:54 am on Wednesday from ISRO’s second launch pad at Sriharikota, this mission marks a milestone in India’s space history.
Weighing 6,100 kg, Bluebird Block-2 will become the heaviest payload ever placed into LEO by an LVM3 rocket, surpassing the previous record of 4,400 kg set by LVM3-M5 in November 2025. The launch is part of a commercial agreement between NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, and US-based AST SpaceMobile, which aims to expand space-based cellular broadband coverage worldwide.
The Bluebird Block-2 satellite is designed to provide high-speed 4G and 5G connectivity directly to smartphones, supporting voice, video calls, texts, streaming, and data services. With a massive 223m² phased array, it is the largest commercial communications satellite ever deployed into LEO, at an altitude of approximately 600 km. This mission is part of a broader global LEO constellation being built by AST SpaceMobile, which already launched five Bluebird satellites in September 2024.
ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan offered prayers at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala ahead of the launch. The LVM3-M6, also known as the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle MkIII, is a three-stage rocket featuring cryogenic engines and twin S200 solid rocket boosters developed by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, generating the thrust necessary for this heavy payload.
Following a flight of approximately 15 minutes, Bluebird Block-2 is expected to separate from the launch vehicle, joining the global network to deliver direct to mobile connectivity, enhancing both commercial and government communication capabilities. The mission underscores India’s growing role in commercial space ventures and global satellite based connectivity solutions.
