ISRO successfully launches BlueBird Block-2 satellite from Sriharikota

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the LVM3-M6 rocket, placing the United States’ Blue Origin Block-2 communication satellite into its intended Low Earth Orbit, marking another milestone in India’s growing commercial space launch capabilities.

Mission Details

The LVM3-M6/BlueBird Block-2 mission is a dedicated commercial launch carried out using ISRO’s heavy-lift launch vehicle LVM3. The mission marked the sixth operational flight of the LVM3 rocket and involved the deployment of the BlueBird Block-2 satellite developed by US-based AST SpaceMobile.

Designed to provide space-based cellular broadband connectivity directly to standard mobile smartphones, the BlueBird Block-2 spacecraft is part of AST SpaceMobile’s next-generation satellite constellation. It is the largest commercial communications satellite to be deployed in Low Earth Orbit and also the heaviest payload launched by the LVM3 vehicle from Indian soil.

The LVM3 launch vehicle, developed by ISRO, is a three-stage rocket comprising two solid strap-on motors (S200), a liquid core stage (L110), and a cryogenic upper stage (C25). With a lift-off mass of 640 tonnes and a height of 43.5 metres, the vehicle is capable of carrying up to 4,200 kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.

In earlier missions, the LVM3 has successfully launched flagship national programmes such as Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3, along with two OneWeb missions that placed 72 satellites into orbit. The previous LVM3 mission, LVM3-M5/CMS-03, was completed on November 2, 2025. The successful deployment of the BlueBird Block-2 satellite further strengthens ISRO’s position in the global commercial launch market and underscores India’s growing capabilities in heavy-lift and Low Earth Orbit satellite missions.

Launch Site and Timeline

The launch occurred from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, at around 8:55 AM IST, following a slight delay. ISRO confirmed mission success via social media, with the satellite separated and placed in its intended orbit.

Satellite Purpose

BlueBird Block-2 supports space-based cellular broadband for direct-to-smartphone connectivity as part of AST SpaceMobile's constellation. The mission was managed commercially by NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL).

Significance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed it as a milestone for Aatmanirbhar Bharat and India's global launch market role. This was LVM3's sixth operational flight and third fully commercial one.