ISRO Successfully Launches Heaviest Communication Satellite Bluebird Block-2 from Sriharikota

ISRO Launches Heaviest-Ever Communication Satellite BlueBird Block-2 via LVM3-M6.

ISRO successfully launched its heavy-lift Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3-M6) on Wednesday morning from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) at Sriharikota, carrying the BlueBird Block-2 satellite. The launch, initially scheduled for 8:54 am, was slightly delayed by 90 seconds and lifted off at 8:55:30 am IST as a precaution against possible space debris along the flight path.

In a post on X, ISRO confirmed the updated schedule: “Launch Day for #LVM3M6. LVM3-M6 lifts off today at 08:55:30 IST with BlueBird Block-2 from SDSC SHAR.”

The LVM3-M6/BlueBird Block-2 mission marks the sixth operational flight of the LVM3 vehicle and is a dedicated commercial launch under an agreement between NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, and US-based AST SpaceMobile.

Developed by ISRO, the LVM3 is a three-stage launch vehicle featuring two S200 solid strap-on boosters, a liquid core stage (L110), and a cryogenic upper stage (C25). Standing 43.5 metres tall with a lift-off mass of around 640 tonnes, it can carry payloads up to 4,200 kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. Previous LVM3 missions include Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and two OneWeb missions deploying 72 satellites. Its most recent flight, LVM3-M5/CMS-03, was successfully completed on November 2, 2025.

The BlueBird Block-2 satellite is part of a next-generation Low Earth Orbit constellation designed to deliver space-based cellular broadband connectivity directly to standard mobile phones. Equipped with a large phased array, it will enable 4G and 5G voice, video, data, and messaging services across wide regions globally.

Following liftoff, the satellite is expected to separate from the launch vehicle approximately 15 minutes into the flight, beginning its operational mission in Low Earth Orbit. Ahead of the launch, ISRO Chairman V Narayanan visited the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala on December 23.