BlueBird Block-2 mission: ISRO successfully launches LVM3-M6 rocket

The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) successfully launched the Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3) with the BlueBird Block-2 satellite on Wednesday (December 24, 2025) morning, from the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

The LVM3-M6 placed the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into Low Earth Orbit about 15 minutes after lift off.

This is the largest commercial communications satellite to be deployed in Low Earth Orbit. BlueBird Block-2 satellite is also the heaviest payload to be launched by LVM3 from Indian soil.

The BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite is developed by AST SpaceMobile, USA, and is part of a next-generation BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite, designed to provide space-based cellular broadband connectivity directly to standard mobile smartphones.

“BlueBird block-2 mission is part of a global LEO constellation to provide direct-to-mobile connectivity through satellite . This constellation will enable 4G and 5G voice and video calls, texts, streaming, and data for everyone, everywhere, at all times. It features a 223m² phased array, making it the largest commercial communications satellite ever deployed into low Earth orbit,” ISRO said.

This was the sixth operational flight of LVM3 and third dedicated commercial mission.

“In its earlier missions, LVM3 successfully launched Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and two OneWeb missions carrying 72 satellites. The previous launch of LVM3 was the LVM3-M5/CMS-03 mission which was successfully accomplished on November 02, 2025,” ISRO said