After successfully deploying the joint NISAR Earth observation satellite, ISRO is now preparing for the next significant India–US collaboration: the launch of the AST SpaceMobile BlueBird Block‑2 satellite aboard the LVM3‑M5 rocket in May–June 2025. This mission, commissioned under a commercial agreement with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), will deliver space-based cellular broadband network services by enabling direct smartphone connectivity from orbit.
This launch marks one of nine major ISRO missions scheduled before the end of the fiscal year, reaffirming India’s expanding footprint in the international commercial launch market. ISRO recently flagged off the crucial L110 core liquid stage for the mission—the 10th such stage from its Mahendragiri facility—highlighting its manufacturing capability and reliability.
The BlueBird Block‑2 satellite weighs around 6,000 kg, featuring a massive 64 sq m phased-array antenna designed to deliver up to 10× more bandwidth than its predecessor. Operating from low Earth orbit, it will enable continuous voice and broadband connectivity for standard mobile phones, bridging gaps in remote and underserved regions worldwide.
This collaboration underscores India’s role as a preferred global launch partner and demonstrates the growing synergy between ISRO and U.S. firms in advancing satellite communication technology and global digital inclusion
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