The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved another milestone in its commercial space operations by successfully launching the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite into Low Earth Orbit on December 24, 2025. The satellite, built by Texas-based AST SpaceMobile Inc., was delivered aboard ISRO's powerful LVM3-M6 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
The successful launch marks a significant achievement for NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO's commercial arm, which brokered the deal with AST SpaceMobile. The mission demonstrates India's growing capability to compete in the global commercial launch market and its ability to handle complex international satellite deployment operations.
The BlueBird Block-2 satellite is designed to provide direct-to-smartphone connectivity from space, a technology that could revolutionize mobile communications in underserved areas. AST SpaceMobile has been working on creating a space-based cellular broadband network that would allow standard smartphones to connect directly to satellites without any hardware modifications.
ISRO Chairman S. Somanath celebrated the achievement, noting that the LVM3 rocket has proven itself as a reliable heavy-lift vehicle for commercial missions. "This launch reinforces India's position as a trusted partner for international space missions," Somanath said in a statement.
The successful mission comes as India continues to expand its footprint in the global space economy, competing with established players like SpaceX and Arianespace for commercial launch contracts.
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