ISRO Set to Launch BlueBird Block-2 Satellite: What You Need to Know

Upcoming Launch of BlueBird Block-2

New Delhi: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced that it is prepared to launch the BlueBird Block-2 satellite on December 24.

This launch will take place at the Satish Dhawan Space Center, where the BlueBird Block-2, also known as BlueBird-6, will be positioned into Low Earth Orbit.

Developed by AST SpaceMobile, a US-based company, this communications satellite is set to be launched aboard India's most powerful rocket, the LVM3.

Weighing in at 6.5 tonnes, BlueBird Block-2 is among the heaviest commercial satellites. It arrived in India from the United States on October 19.

ISRO shared on social media, "Meet #LVM3M6, our operational heavy-lift launch vehicle with a strong track record of successful missions. It is ready to deliver BlueBird Block-2 to Low Earth Orbit."

Meet #LVM3M6
ISRO’s operational heavy-lift launch vehicle with a proven record of reliable missions. Ready to deliver BlueBird Block-2 to Low Earth Orbit.

Launch on 24 Dec 2025 at 08:54 IST.

Youtube Livestreaming link: https://t.co/FMYCs31L3j
24 Dec 2025 | 08:24 IST… pic.twitter.com/K85ef7aNqY

— ISRO (@isro) December 22, 2025

AST SpaceMobile previously stated that upon launch, the satellite will feature the largest commercial phased array in low Earth orbit, measuring nearly 2,400 square feet. This represents a significant increase in size compared to BlueBirds 1-5 and will enhance data capacity by tenfold.

This marks the second collaboration between AST SpaceMobile and ISRO. Earlier in July, ISRO successfully launched the $1.5 billion NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar Mission (NISAR), designed for high-resolution Earth imaging capable of penetrating fog, dense clouds, and ice.

AST SpaceMobile has already deployed five satellites, BlueBird 1 to 5, in September 2024, and aims to expand its network further through partnerships with over 50 mobile operators globally.

The launch of BlueBird 6 is being managed by ISRO's commercial arm, New Space India Limited (NSIL).

The LVM3 rocket, developed by ISRO, is a three-stage vehicle that includes two solid strap-on motors (S200), a liquid core stage (L110), and a cryogenic upper stage (C25).

According to ISRO, it has a lift-off mass of 640 tonnes, stands 43.5 meters tall, and can carry a payload of 4,200 kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

Recently, LVM3 successfully launched India's heaviest CMS-3 satellite, which weighs 4.4 tonnes, into orbit on November 2.

In previous missions, LVM3 has successfully launched Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and two OneWeb missions carrying a total of 72 satellites.