The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that its LVM3-M6 (Launch Vehicle Mark 3, Mission 6) rocket was scheduled to lift off on December 24, 2025, at 8:54 AM IST from the Second Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, carrying the AST SpaceMobile BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite. The mission represents a dedicated commercial launch for AST SpaceMobile, a US-based company building a direct-to-cell (D2C) satellite broadband network. BlueBird Block-2 is the largest commercial communication satellite operating in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and is also the heaviest payload ever launched by LVM3 — demonstrating ISRO's growing commercial competitiveness. The LVM3 (formerly GSLV Mk III) is ISRO's most powerful operational rocket, with a lift capacity of approximately 10 tonnes to LEO and 4 tonnes to Geostationary Transfer Orbit. The LVM3 M2 / OneWeb India-1 mission in 2022 launched 36 OneWeb satellites, inaugurating ISRO's commercial heavy-lift era. Direct-to-cell satellites enable smartphone connectivity without specialised ground infrastructure — a technology with transformative potential for remote and underserved areas globally, including in India. ISRO's commercial arm, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), operates commercial launch missions for international clients. The LVM3-M6 mission strengthens India's position in the competitive global commercial launch market, where ISRO competes with SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Arianespace. The successful execution of high-mass LEO missions consolidates India's reputation as a reliable, cost-effective launch service provider — a key pillar of India's growing space economy, which the government targets to grow to USD 44 billion by 2033.
ISRO's LVM3-M6 Mission Scheduled for December 24: Set to Launch AST SpaceMobile BlueBird Block-2 — Heaviest Payload for LVM3 in Dedicated Commercial Mission
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that its LVM3-M6 (Launch Vehicle Mark 3, Mission 6) rocket was scheduled to lift off on December 24, 2025, at 8:54 AM IST from the Second Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, carrying the AST SpaceMobile BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite. The mission represents a dedicated commercial launch for AST SpaceMobile, a US-based company building a direct-to-cell (D2C) satellite broadband network. BlueBird Block-2 is the largest commercial communication satellite operating in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and is also the heaviest payload ever launched by LVM3 — demonstrating ISRO's growing commercial competitiveness. The LVM3 (formerly GSLV Mk III) is ISRO's most powerful operational rocket, with a lift capacity of approximately 10 tonnes to LEO and 4 tonnes to Geostationary Transfer Orbit. The LVM3-M1 mission in 2022 launched 36 OneWeb satellites, inaugurating ISRO's commercial heavy-lift era. Direct-to-cell satellites enable smartphone connectivity without specialised ground infrastructure — a technology with transformative potential for remote and underserved areas globally, including in India. ISRO's commercial arm, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), operates commercial launch missions for international clients. The LVM3-M6 mission strengthens India's position in the competitive global commercial launch market, where ISRO competes with SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Arianespace. The successful execution of high-mass LEO missions consolidates India's reputation as a reliable, cost-effective launch service provider — a key pillar of India's growing space economy, which the government targets to grow to USD 44 billion by 2033.
Key facts
- ISRO's LVM3-M6 mission was scheduled for December 24, 2025 from Sriharikota carrying BlueBird Block-2.
- BlueBird Block-2 is the heaviest payload ever launched by LVM3 and largest commercial LEO comm satellite.
- The mission is a dedicated commercial launch for US-based AST SpaceMobile's direct-to-cell satellite network.
- LVM3 has lift capacity of approximately 10 tonnes to LEO and 4 tonnes to GTO.
- ISRO's commercial arm NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) operates commercial launches for international clients.
- India targets growing its space economy to USD 44 billion by 2033.
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The BlueBird Block-2 satellite launched by ISRO's LVM3-M6 was built for which company?
The BlueBird Block-2 satellite was built for AST SpaceMobile, making it a dedicated commercial mission for ISRO.
Frequently asked questions
What is the LVM3-M6 mission and when was it scheduled to launch?
LVM3-M6 (Launch Vehicle Mark 3, Mission 6) is ISRO's rocket mission scheduled to lift off on December 24, 2025 at 8:54 AM IST from the Second Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, carrying the AST SpaceMobile BlueBird Block-2 satellite.
What is the significance of BlueBird Block-2 as LVM3's payload?
BlueBird Block-2 is the heaviest payload ever launched by LVM3 and is the largest commercial communication satellite operating in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). It is part of AST SpaceMobile's direct-to-cell (D2C) satellite broadband network.
What is NSIL and what role does it play in ISRO's commercial launches?
NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) is ISRO's commercial arm that operates and manages commercial launch missions for international clients. It handled this dedicated commercial launch for US-based AST SpaceMobile.
What is the payload capacity of LVM3 rocket?
LVM3 has a lift capacity of approximately 10 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and 4 tonnes to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO), making it India's heaviest operational launch vehicle.
What is India's target for its space economy by 2033?
India targets growing its space economy to USD 44 billion by 2033, leveraging increased commercial launch activity, satellite manufacturing, and international partnerships.
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