Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Wednesday successfully launched the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite using its Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3), marking a major milestone for India’s heavy-lift launch capabilities.
The LVM3 lifted off at 8.55 am from the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, and about 15 minutes later accurately placed the satellite into low Earth orbit.
With this mission, ISRO achieved two significant firsts. It deployed the largest commercial communications satellite ever placed in low Earth orbit, while BlueBird Block-2, weighing 6,100 kg, became the heaviest payload launched by LVM3 from Indian soil. ISRO chairman V. Narayanan declared the mission a success.
The BlueBird Block-2 satellite has been developed by AST SpaceMobile, USA, as part of its next-generation constellation aimed at providing space-based cellular broadband connectivity directly to standard smartphones. According to ISRO, the mission is part of a global low Earth orbit constellation that will enable direct-to-mobile 4G and 5G voice and video calls, messaging, streaming and data services worldwide. The satellite features a massive 223-square-metre phased array, making it the largest commercial communications satellite ever deployed in LEO.
This launch marked the sixth operational flight of LVM3 and its third dedicated commercial mission. ISRO noted that the heavy-lift rocket has earlier successfully launched missions such as Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3 and two OneWeb missions carrying a total of 72 satellites. The previous LVM3 mission, LVM3-M5/CMS-03, was completed successfully on November 2, 2025.
