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ISRO has started the countdown for the launch of the LVM3-M6 rocket, which will carry the Bluebird Block-2 spacecraft, a new generation US communications satellite.
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) said this historic mission will deploy a next-generation communications satellite designed to provide high-speed cellular broadband directly to smartphones around the world.
ISRO Bluebird Block-2: Launch time
ISRO Bluebird Block-2 spacecraft is scheduled to launch at 8.54 am on Wednesday, December 24, from the second launch pad at Sriharikota Spaceport in Andhra Pradesh.
After approximately 15 minutes of flight, the Bluebird Block-2 satellite is expected to separate from the launch vehicle.
About Bluebird Block-2
The Bluebird Block-2 mission is being launched as part of the commercial agreement signed between ISRO’s commercial arm NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) and US-based AST Spacemobile (AST & Science, LLC).
Wednesday’s mission is part of a global LEO constellation to provide direct-to-mobile connectivity via satellite. This constellation will enable 4G and 5G voice and video calls, text, streaming and data for everyone, everywhere, all the time.
It has a 223 square meter phased array, making it the largest commercial communications satellite ever deployed in low Earth orbit at an altitude of approximately 600 km.
Bluebird Block-2 satellite: heaviest payload in LVM3
ISRO said the 6,100 kg Bluebird Block-2 communications satellite LVM3 will be the heaviest payload to be placed in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in launch history.
This dedicated commercial mission of the Bengaluru-headquartered space agency is the sixth operational flight of its heavy-lift launch vehicle LVM3.
The previous heaviest was LVM3-M5 communications satellite 03, weighing about 4,400 kg which was successfully launched by ISRO on November 2.
About AST Spacemobile
AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network, directly accessible by smartphone and designed for both commercial and government applications.
AST Spacemobile launched five satellites, Bluebird 1-5, in September 2024 to provide continuous internet coverage over the United States and other select countries.
The company plans to launch similar satellites to increase its network support and has partnered with more than 50 mobile operators around the world.
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