After launching NISAR, the world's most expensive Earth observation satellite with the US on July 30, India will soon launch another US satellite called Block-2 BlueBird, which weighs around 6,500 kg. The ISRO chairman, V. Narayanan, had announced on August 10 that this launch will take place in the next couple of months.
What you need to know about the Block-2 BlueBird satellite:
It is developed by US-based AST SpaceMobile, which has collaborated with ISRO for the launch using the LVM3 rocket. The satellite represents a significant leap in space-based cellular broadband technology. These satellites are designed to provide direct-to-smartphone connectivity without the need for ground-based infrastructure. Each satellite features expansive communication arrays, measuring up to 2,400 square feet, making them the largest commercial communication arrays ever deployed in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
Interestingly, the Block-2 BlueBird has large communication panels covering up to 2,400 sq ft. It is designed to send data at speeds of up to 12 Mbps, allowing people to use voice calls, internet, and video services directly on their smartphones without needing special devices. The Block 2 satellites are designed to support beams with a capacity of up to 40 MHz, enabling data speeds of up to 120 Mbps, significantly higher than the initially quoted 12 Mbps figure.
This new US satellite is expected to arrive in India in September and will be launched on LVM-3-M5, which is ISRO's heaviest rocket, from the Sriharikota spaceport. The satellite will be placed in Low Earth Orbit, approximately 600-900 kilometers above Earth, where it will orbit twice daily, providing cellular broadband coverage.
It uses patented technology from AST & Science to connect directly to mobile phones from space as part of their SpaceMobile network. The satellite has a communication panel of 64.38 sq m that will connect to phones using standard 3GPP mobile frequencies, working with major telecom providers worldwide. AST SpaceMobile has launch agreements with multiple providers, including Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket, SpaceX's launch vehicles, and ISRO for deploying these next-generation satellites.
“LVM3 is capable of placing satellites weighing up to 10,000 kg into Low Earth Orbit, making it well-suited for the 6,500 kg Block-2 BlueBird mission. This represents a significant capability for India's space program, as ISRO's previous heaviest payload delivery was 5,796 kilograms with the OneWeb satellites. The LVM-3 stands 49.13 meters tall with a lift-off mass of 640 tonnes, earning it the nickname "Bahubali" for its impressive power,” explained space expert Girish Linganna.
Experts point out that compared to similar heavyweight satellites globally, the Block-2 BlueBird's 6,500 kg mass places it among the heaviest single satellites ever launched. The current record for the heaviest commercial satellite is Jupiter 3 at 9,200 kilograms, launched by SpaceX's Falcon Heavy. Other notable heavy satellites include Envisat at 8,200 kg and the Hubble Space Telescope at 12,250 kg. The Block-2 BlueBird will be among the top 10 heaviest satellites ever deployed, representing a major achievement for both ISRO's launch capabilities and AST SpaceMobile's constellation.
“The Block 2 BlueBirds feature 2,400-square-foot communications arrays, making them the largest commercial communications arrays ever deployed in low Earth orbit. These massive arrays will enable the satellites to provide direct-to-smartphone connectivity across vast coverage areas. AST SpaceMobile needs between 45 and 60 BlueBirds for continuous coverage in the United States, with this ISRO launch being part of a broader constellation deployment strategy,” added Linganna.
Looking back at history, ISRO began in 1963 with a small rocket donated by the US, marking the start of India's space journey. In 1975, with satellite data from the US, ISRO showed how mass communication could be achieved by broadcasting to 2,400 TV sets in 2,400 villages across six states.