The US-made BlueBird-6 Satellite will be launched by ISRO for mobile coverage directly from space.
ISRO is set to launch the 6.5-tonne BlueBird-6 satellite, one of the heaviest commercial satellites. It belongs to the US telom company AST SpaceMobile and will be launched by ISRO’s LVM3 rockets from Sriharikota.
AST SpaceMobile is partnering with ISRO because India’s LVM3 rocket can carry heavy communication satellites to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at a lower launch cost than most global alternatives.
BlueBird-6 satellite is designed to provide mobile broadband directly to smartphones without the need for mobile towers. It aims to bring network access to remote regions where ground-based connectivity is limited or unavailable. This is part of AST SpaceMobile’s plan to build a satellite network that supports direct-to-device mobile communication globally.
The satellite arrived in India on 19 October from the US. It was flown in on the Antonov aircraft, the world’s largest cargo plane, and transported by road to Sriharikota for integration and pre-launch checks.
Before launching the satellite into orbit, it will be tested. The tests include fuelling, vibration analysis, and system verification.
The launch is being managed by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm. NSIL handles international launch contracts and technology partnerships that help generate revenue for India’s space programme.
This satellite is part of a larger constellation planned by AST SpaceMobile. The company is preparing additional satellites, BlueBird-7 to BlueBird-16, with launches planned every few months between 2025 and 2026. Each satellite will be capable of providing up to 10,000 MHz of bandwidth, enabling global mobile coverage directly from space.
