India’s heavy-lift launch vehicle LVM3 is poised to achieve a major commercial milestone on December 24, when it lifts off with the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite for US-based firm AST SpaceMobile. Scheduled for 8.54 am IST, the mission will deploy the largest commercial communications satellite ever placed in low Earth orbit and the heaviest payload carried by the LVM3 from Indian territory.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said the mission, designated LVM3-M6/BlueBird Block-2, is a fully dedicated commercial launch and marks the sixth operational flight of the LVM3 rocket. The launch underscores India’s growing role as a reliable player in the global commercial space launch market.
Once in orbit, the satellite will join AST SpaceMobile’s next-generation BlueBird Block-2 constellation, which is being developed to provide space-based cellular broadband services. The system is designed to connect directly with standard smartphones, eliminating the need for specialised equipment or hardware modifications.
Developed by ISRO, the LVM3 is a three-stage launch vehicle powered by two solid strap-on boosters, a liquid core stage and a cryogenic upper stage. Standing 43.5 metres tall with a lift-off mass of 640 tonnes, the rocket is capable of carrying payloads of up to 4,200 kg to geosynchronous transfer orbit, making it India’s most powerful operational launcher.
The vehicle has an established track record, having successfully flown major missions such as Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3, along with two OneWeb launches that collectively deployed 72 satellites. Its most recent mission, LVM3-M5/CMS-03, was completed successfully on November 2 this year.
AST SpaceMobile aims to create a global space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly through everyday smartphones. According to the company, the BlueBird satellites are intended to support services including voice calls, video streaming, internet browsing and 4G and 5G connectivity, extending coverage to remote and underserved regions for both civilian and government users.
The upcoming launch is being closely watched as a significant step for India’s commercial space ambitions, combining heavy-lift capability with a mission that targets the rapidly expanding market for satellite-based mobile communications.
