Countdown Starts for ISRO’s BlueBird Block‑2 Mission

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has initiated the 24‑hour countdown for the launch of its LVM3‑M6 / BlueBird Block‑2 mission, officials said on Tuesday, underscoring India’s growing role in commercial space services.

The heavy‑lift LVM3 launch vehicle is scheduled to lift off on December 24 at 08:54 IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, carrying the BlueBird Block‑2 communication satellite into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). 

The BlueBird Block‑2 spacecraft, developed by US‑based AST SpaceMobile (AST & Science, LLC), will be the heaviest commercial payload ever launched by an LVM3 launcher from Indian soil, weighing roughly 6,100 kg. 

Heavy Lift & Global Connectivity Mission

The LVM3, also known as Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark‑III, is India’s flagship heavy‑lift rocket—standing 43.5 meters tall with a launch mass of around 640 tons and a three‑stage configuration featuring solid strap‑on motors, a liquid core stage, and a cryogenic upper stage.

Previously, the LVM3 has successfully launched major missions, including Chandrayaan‑2, Chandrayaan‑3, and multiple OneWeb satellite deployments.

After liftoff, BlueBird Block‑2 is expected to separate from the rocket about 15 minutes into flight, entering orbit at an altitude of about 600 km. 

Commercial Collaboration and Technology

The mission is being flown under a commercial agreement between ISRO’s commercial arm, NewSpace India Ltd. (NSIL), and AST SpaceMobile, marking a significant milestone in India’s role as a launch provider for international space companies.

Once operational, the BlueBird constellation aims to offer direct‑to‑smartphone cellular connectivity, including 4G/5G voice, data, text, and video services, without the need for traditional ground infrastructure. 

The satellite features a 223‑square‑meter phased array, making it one of the largest commercial communications arrays in low Earth orbit and positioning it to extend global mobile broadband coverage, including in remote and underserved regions. 

Significance and Future Prospects

The launch is part of a broader push by ISRO to expand India’s footprint in the global commercial launch market while supporting next‑generation satellite technologies. It follows earlier successes in 2025, including the collaborative NISAR Earth observation mission.

Enthusiasm for the mission is high, with space enthusiasts and the general public invited to view the live webcast of the launch, beginning approximately 30 minutes before lift-off. Official streams and updates are expected through ISRO and NSIL channels.

If successful, the BlueBird Block‑2 mission will not only enhance space‑based connectivity infrastructure but also reinforce India’s position as a reliable global partner for commercial and scientific space endeavors. The countdown underway at Sriharikota highlights ISRO’s meticulous preparations and the growing tempo of Indian space activity in 2025 and beyond.