The 6.5-ton BlueBird-6 satellite, one of the Indian Space Research Organization’s biggest commercial payloads, is about to launch. On October 19, the spacecraft, which was constructed by Texas-based AST SpaceMobile, landed in India from the United States aboard the Antonov, the biggest cargo plane in the world that was first created in Ukraine.
After reaching Chennai, the satellite was taken to Sriharikota’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre for a battery of pre-flight, integration, and fueling tests before taking off.
The next generation of communication satellites, known as BlueBird-6, was created to provide mobile broadband connectivity directly to devices.
The spacecraft is designed to help bridge the global digital divide by providing cell service to underserved and inaccessible areas while operating in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). When it is operational, it will allow for smooth data and mobile services in places without traditional terrestrial infrastructure.
Another significant advancement in India’s commercial space capabilities will be made when ISRO launches the satellite using its most potent rocket, the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3). ISRO’s commercial division, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), which is in charge of international payload contracts and government revenue collection, will oversee the launch.
Currently, the mission window is anticipated to run from November 2025 to the first quarter of 2026, contingent upon favorable launch conditions and readiness.
The AST SpaceMobile constellation plan, which includes BlueBird-6, calls for the deployment of a fleet of satellites, including BlueBird-7 through BlueBird-16, during the course of the upcoming year. Together, these satellites—each with a bandwidth capacity of up to 10,000 MHz—will create a global network that offers extensive mobile data coverage.
Between late 2025 and 2026, the company plans to continue launching satellites at an accelerated rate of one satellite every one to two months, further solidifying its goal of becoming the industry leader in satellite-based cellular connectivity.
