ISRO is set to launch the 6,500-kg U.S. BlueBird Block 2 satellite for AST SpaceMobile later this year, marking a significant milestone in space-based cellular broadband technology. The satellite will be launched using ISRO’s heavy-lift Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India. This mission embodies a strategic collaboration between India and the U.S. in the commercial space sector.
The BlueBird Block 2 satellite, developed by Texas-based AST SpaceMobile, features the largest commercial communications arrays ever deployed in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), spanning up to 2,400 square feet. Designed to deliver direct-to-smartphone broadband connectivity without requiring traditional ground infrastructure, the satellite aims to provide near-continuous cellular broadband service across the United States with peak data transmission speeds up to 120 Mbps. This will enable voice, video, and data services directly on regular smartphones, expanding coverage to underserved and remote areas.
The LVM3 rocket, nicknamed “Bahubali” for its power, stands 49.13 meters tall and can place payloads weighing up to 10,000 kg in LEO, making it well-suited for this 6,500-kg payload. The planned launch, scheduled for late 2025, follows ISRO’s recent successful deployment of the NISAR Earth observation satellite with NASA and reflects India’s growing role as a trusted provider of commercial satellite launch services globally.
AST SpaceMobile has already deployed earlier satellite versions, with the Block 1 BlueBirds operational since 2024, and intends to launch around 60 such satellites by 2026 utilizing multiple launch providers including SpaceX, Blue Origin, and ISRO. The Indian launch represents the first time a BlueBird Block 2 will be delivered to orbit by a non-U.S. launch vehicle, thus underscoring ISRO’s increasing capabilities and the deepening space partnership between the two nations.
This launch supports broader ambitions to bridge the global digital divide by enhancing mobile broadband access worldwide through innovative satellite technology, reinforcing ISRO’s stature in the international space community and showcasing India’s technological prowess in heavy-lift space missions.
About the BlueBird Block 2 Satellite:
- Developer: AST SpaceMobile, Texas, USA
- Weight: Approximately 6,500 kg
- Unique Features: Largest commercial phased-array communication antenna in LEO (~2,400 sq ft)
- Purpose: Provide direct-to-smartphone cellular broadband service with data speeds up to 120 Mbps
- Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (600-900 km altitude)
ISRO’s LVM3 Rocket and Launch Details:
- Rocket: LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3), India’s heaviest and most powerful launch vehicle, nicknamed “Bahubali”
- Launch Site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, India
- Scheduled Launch: Late 2025
- Payload capacity of LVM3: Up to 10,000 kg to LEO
Strategic and Technological Significance:
- Marks India’s expanding role in global commercial satellite launches
- First BlueBird Block 2 satellite launch by a non-U.S. provider
- Strengthens Indo-U.S. cooperation in space technology
- Supports global connectivity goals by expanding broadband access in underserved areas
AST SpaceMobile’s Satellite Constellation Plans:
- Previous missions: Successful deployment of Block 1 BlueBird satellites with SpaceX
- Plan to launch 60+ BlueBird satellites by 2026 with various providers including ISRO
- Mission to enable space-based mobile broadband globally
Conclusion:
Highlight the launch as a landmark achievement for ISRO and AST SpaceMobile, a technological leap in satellite broadband, and a symbol of advancing international space collaboration.
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