ISRO to Launch LVM3-M6 Mission With AST SpaceMobile Satellite on Dec 24
ISRO to launch massive satellite for global phone connectivity.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has scheduled the LVM3-M6 mission for December 24, 2025, at 8:54 am IST, lifting off from the Second Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. This dedicated commercial mission, facilitated by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), will deploy the BlueBird Block-2 satellite for US-based AST SpaceMobile, advancing efforts to create the world's first space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly from standard smartphones.
Known as India's "Bahubali" rocket for its heavy-lift capabilities, the LVM3 features a three-stage configuration with two solid strap-on boosters, a liquid core stage, and a cryogenic upper stage. Standing 43.5 metres tall with a liftoff mass of approximately 640 tonnes, it has a proven track record, including successful deployments for Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and multiple OneWeb constellations.
The mission's payload, the 6,100-6,500 kg BlueBird Block-2 satellite, represents the heaviest and most complex communications satellite launched into Low Earth Orbit from India. Equipped with a massive 223-square-metre phased array antenna—the largest ever for a commercial communications satellite—it will be placed in a 520-kilometre circular orbit at 53 degrees inclination.
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This next-generation satellite is designed to enable seamless 4G/5G voice calls, messaging, video streaming, and high-speed internet directly to unmodified mobile devices worldwide, eliminating reliance on traditional ground-based infrastructure and bridging connectivity gaps in remote areas.
Marking the sixth operational flight of LVM3 and its third dedicated commercial mission, this launch underscores India's growing prominence in the global space market. Viewers can watch the event live on ISRO's official website and YouTube channel, highlighting the nation's continued advancements in heavy-lift rocketry and international collaborations.
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