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

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)’s Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3) successfully deployed the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into low earth orbit on Wednesday morning, December 24, 2025.

LVM3 took off from the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota at 8.55 am and placed the satellite into the intended orbit 15 minutes later.

ISRO achieved two milestones with this mission; was able to deploy the largest commercial communications satellite in low earth orbit and also the BlueBird Block-2 satellite became the heaviest payload (6,100 kg) to be launched by LVM3 from Indian soil.

ISRO chairman V. Narayanan declared the mission a success.

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

“BlueBird block-2 mission is part of a global LEO constellation to provide direct mobile connectivity via satellite. This constellation will enable 4G and 5G voice and video calls, texts, streaming and data for anyone, anywhere, anytime. It has a phased array of 223 sq m, making it the largest commercial communications satellite ever deployed in low Earth orbit,” ISRO said.

This was LVM3’s sixth operational flight and third dedicated commercial mission.

“In its previous 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 carried out on 2 November 2025,” ISRO said.