ISRO to launch BlueBird Block-2 satellite of US’ AST SpaceMobile on Dec 24
ISRO announced that a commercial mission to deploy AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird Block-2 will lift off on December 24 at 08:54 Indian Standard Time, using the LVM3 launcher. The flight, designated LVM3-M6/BlueBird Block-2, is a dedicated payload mission and marks the sixth operational flight for the vehicle.
During ascent, the satellite is slated to be placed into Low Earth Orbit. It is described as the heaviest payload ever launched by LVM3 from Indian soil and the largest commercial communications satellite to operate in LEO. The BlueBird Block-2 is part of a new generation designed to deliver space-based cellular broadband directly to standard smartphones, without requiring specialized devices.
About the launcher: LVM3 is a three-stage rocket composed of two solid strap-on motors (S200), a liquid core stage (L110), and a cryogenic upper stage (C25). The system has a lift-off mass around 640 tonnes, stands roughly 43.5 meters tall, and can deliver about 4,200 kilograms to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.
Historically, LVM3 has conducted missions including Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and two launches for OneWeb that carried a total of 72 satellites. The most recent prior flight to this upcoming mission was LVM3-M5/CMS-03, which completed on November 2 of the previous year.
AST SpaceMobile describes its BlueBird network as the first and only space-based cellular broadband system accessible directly from ordinary smartphones, targeting both commercial and government applications. The satellites are intended to enable voice calls, video sessions, and full internet access with 4G and 5G speeds from anywhere on Earth, without the need for special hardware or network modifications.
Observers note that the technology could complement terrestrial networks by extending coverage to remote regions, maritime routes, and disaster zones where ground infrastructure is limited. At the same time, questions remain about device compatibility, network latency, and regulatory coordination across different jurisdictions as this concept scales.
As readiness progresses, enthusiasts and industry stakeholders will be watching closely to gauge how orbital-based connectivity might reshape the competitive landscape of mobile communications and the future interplay between ground-based and space-based networks.
