The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to launch US firm AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird-6 satellite on Wednesday (Dec 24) &nbsp;from the second launchpad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The three-stage LVM3 rocket, the most capable space launch vehicle in India's fleet, is expected to liftoff at 8:54 am Indian time, carrying the 6,500kg BlueBird 6 to orbit(about 550 km above earth). This satellite would be the heaviest payload to be carried by an Indian rocket. LVM3 has a track record of delivering success in all its eight missions to date. &nbsp;&nbsp;This mission is being executed as part of a commercial deal between ISRO's business arm, NewSpace India Limited(NSIL,) and the Texas-based AST SpaceMobile. As a launch services provider(rocket builder and operator), ISRO launches foreign-origin satellites to space on a commercial basis. Facilitated by NSIL, these commercial space missions are like a taxi ferrying a passenger. In this case, the passenger is the US firm, which pays the Indian Government for the launch service. This is the third commercial mission of LVM3, and the first time that the Indian LVM3 rocket is executing the mission for an American customer. Earlier, it had executed two launches for a European customer, OneWeb(now Eutelsat OneWeb).<h2>About AST SpaceMobile and their internet-beaming satellites</h2>AST SpaceMobile is a Texas-based telecom company that aims to build and launch a fleet of satellites that can directly provide internet connectivity to mobile phones. Typically, only purpose-built satellite phones can facilitate satellite communication. These traditional satellite phone handsets are bulky and require visible antennas; they offer voice connectivity, and low-bandwidth texting and data services. Such services are offered by firms such as Iridium and Thuraya, among others. They are widely used in the defence and maritime sectors for providing connectivity where no communications infrastructure exists.&nbsp;Firms like AST and Starlink are attempting to change this by ensuring direct connectivity between smartphones and satellites. They intend to ensure that Android and Apple devices available in the market can communicate with the support of satellites, without any extra or special hardware. Thanks to the global coverage planned using a fleet of satellites, such services would eventually enable cell phone connectivity almost anywhere on Earth. In simple terms, one need not worry about being "not reachable" or "out of coverage area".&nbsp;As per reports, AST presently has a fleet of five first-generation (Block-1) satellites in orbit. The firm plans to launch a fleet of 45-60 second-generation (Block-2)satellites to offer services in major global regions, it is said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lightning-strikes-world-tallest-burj-khalifa-dubai-crown-prince-shares-dramatic-visuals-watch-1766144146883">Lightning strikes world tallest Burj Khalifa, Dubai Crown Prince shares dramatic visuals - WATCH</a>&nbsp;The firm has announced that they have a series of satellites that will be launched in the coming months. BlueBird 7 has shipped to the Cape Canaveral, Florida launch site this month, BlueBirds 8-16 are in various stages of production, with launches planned every 1-2 months on average during 2025 and 2026, the firm announced. &nbsp;&nbsp;They expect to have 45-60 satellites in orbit by year-end 2026. It is touted that these BlueBird satellites(by size) will be the largest commercial satellites ever deployed in Low Earth orbit (about 600kms above Earth). Each of these satellites would carry a 2,400-foot phased array antenna with true direct-to-cell broadband, with a claimed capability of up to 10,000 MHz of processing bandwidth and claimed peak speeds of 120 Mbps per cell.&nbsp;The firm says they have partnered with 50+ mobile network operators serving nearly 3 billion subscribers, "supported by a flexible spectrum strategy blending our own licensed spectrum with partner spectrum".&nbsp; &nbsp;

AST SpaceMobile is a Texas-based telecom company that aims to build and launch a fleet of satellites that can directly provide internet connectivity to mobile phones.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to launch US firm AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird-6 satellite on Wednesday (Dec 24) from the second launchpad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The three-stage LVM3 rocket, the most capable space launch vehicle in India's fleet, is expected to liftoff at 8:54 am Indian time, carrying the 6,500kg BlueBird 6 to orbit(about 550 km above earth). This satellite would be the heaviest payload to be carried by an Indian rocket. LVM3 has a track record of delivering success in all its eight missions to date. This mission is being executed as part of a commercial deal between ISRO's business arm, NewSpace India Limited(NSIL,) and the Texas-based AST SpaceMobile. As a launch services provider(rocket builder and operator), ISRO launches foreign-origin satellites to space on a commercial basis. Facilitated by NSIL, these commercial space missions are like a taxi ferrying a passenger. In this case, the passenger is the US firm, which pays the Indian Government for the launch service. This is the third commercial mission of LVM3, and the first time that the Indian LVM3 rocket is executing the mission for an American customer. Earlier, it had executed two launches for a European customer, OneWeb(now Eutelsat OneWeb). About AST SpaceMobile and their internet-beaming satellites AST SpaceMobile is a Texas-based telecom company that aims to build and launch a fleet of satellites that can directly provide internet connectivity to mobile phones. Typically, only purpose-built satellite phones can facilitate satellite communication. These traditional satellite phone handsets are bulky and require visible antennas; they offer voice connectivity, and low-bandwidth texting and data services. Such services are offered by firms such as Iridium and Thuraya, among others. They are widely used in the defence and maritime sectors for providing connectivity where no communications infrastructure exists. Firms like AST and Starlink are attempting to change this by ensuring direct connectivity between smartphones and satellites. They intend to ensure that Android and Apple devices available in the market can communicate with the support of satellites, without any extra or special hardware. Thanks to the global coverage planned using a fleet of satellites, such services would eventually enable cell phone connectivity almost anywhere on Earth. In simple terms, one need not worry about being "not reachable" or "out of coverage area". As per reports, AST presently has a fleet of five first-generation (Block-1) satellites in orbit. The firm plans to launch a fleet of 45-60 second-generation (Block-2)satellites to offer services in major global regions, it is said. Also Read: Lightning strikes world tallest Burj Khalifa, Dubai Crown Prince shares dramatic visuals - WATCH The firm has announced that they have a series of satellites that will be launched in the coming months. BlueBird 7 has shipped to the Cape Canaveral, Florida launch site this month, BlueBirds 8-16 are in various stages of production, with launches planned every 1-2 months on average during 2025 and 2026, the firm announced. They expect to have 45-60 satellites in orbit by year-end 2026. It is touted that these BlueBird satellites(by size) will be the largest commercial satellites ever deployed in Low Earth orbit (about 600kms above Earth). Each of these satellites would carry a 2,400-foot phased array antenna with true direct-to-cell broadband, with a claimed capability of up to 10,000 MHz of processing bandwidth and claimed peak speeds of 120 Mbps per cell. The firm says they have partnered with 50+ mobile network operators serving nearly 3 billion subscribers, "supported by a flexible spectrum strategy blending our own licensed spectrum with partner spectrum".

AST SpaceMobile is a Texas-based telecom company that aims to build and launch a fleet of satellites that can directly provide internet connectivity to mobile phones.

ISRO to launch US firm's Bluebird-6 satellite on December 24

The Indian Space Agency ISRO is looking to operationalise its largest-yet rocket launchpad by the year 2029. Expected to be built at a cost of Rs 3985 crore (approx $460mn), the third launchpad(TLP)&nbsp;will be an addition to the existing two launchpads at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, which is India's lISRO sets 2029 target for Next-gen rocket launchpadone spaceport.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">India&#39;s 3rd launchpad at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ISRO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ISRO</a> spaceport SDSC, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, targeted to be ready for 🚀by March 2029 Major milestones: Topography survey done in May 2025 Civil work(May 2028) Fuel storage(July 2028) Launchpad facilities(Sept 2028) Readiness(Mar 2029) <a href="https://t.co/tdB61MXYV3">pic.twitter.com/tdB61MXYV3</a>&mdash; Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp/status/1953016450966511823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

According to the Indian Space Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Financial approval for the Third Launch Pad Project was accorded in March this year. Subsequently, the Geo technical investigation and topography survey of the site was completed by May. In response to a Parliament question, Minister Singh said that offers are under evaluation for road works and electrical works, multiple work packages have been identified for the establishment of the TLP facilities.&nbsp;Outlining the four major milestones, Dr. Singh said, completion of civil works (targeted by May 2028), establishment of fluid systems and associated propellant storages (targeted by July 2028), establishment of launch pad facilities (targeted by September 2028) and commissioning of the facility by March 2029.&nbsp;He added that the Department of Space, ISRO's parent department proposes to partner with Indian industry, who are selected through a tendering process ensuring Make-in-India and Atmanirbhar Bharat(self-reliant India) to the maximum extent possible. Further, he said that the specific details of such collaborations will be available after the completion of the bidding process and placement of contracts.&nbsp;Existing Indian Launch infra and why a TLP is needed &nbsp;At present, the Indian spaceport at Sriharikota is equipped with two launchpads- the first launchpad, which is meant for smaller rockets such as PSLV and SSLV, and the GSLV Mk2, while the second launchpad is capable of launching all rockets right from the smallest SSLV to the largest LVM3. The first launchpad has served for more than thirty years, whereas the second launchpad has served for more than twenty years.The Third Launch Pad project is meant to enable the launch of ISRO's proposed 90-meter-tall Next Generation Launch Vehicle(NGLV) and also support as a standby launch pad for the Second Launch Pad at Sriharikota. For comparison, India's existing variants of GSLV rockets are 43 meters and 52 meters tall.&nbsp;The TLP will also enhance the launch capacity for future Indian human spaceflight missions. The TLP will support the more capable semi-cryogenic engine variant of the LVM3 rocket, and also the scaled-up version of India's proposed NGLV rocket. In addition to the Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight programme which is a work-in-progress, the Indian government has also announced a space vision that includes setting up an Indian space station and carrying out crewed moon landings. &nbsp;India's second spaceport &nbsp;As the launch infrastructure at the existing spaceport is being scaled up in Sriharikota, India is also building a second spaceport at Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu. While the primary spaceport at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh is meant to launch all types of rockets(large and small), the upcoming facility in Tamil Nadu is meant to launch smaller rockets such as the ISRO-built SSLV rocket and similar-sized launch vehicles being built by Indian startups.&nbsp;Owing to its geographic location, Kulasekarapattinam enables fuel-efficient launches towards the south pole(eventually meant to reach polar orbit, where satellites circle over the Earth's poles). When smaller rockets are presently launched from Sriharikota, they lose their fuel-efficiency and this degrades its ability to carry optimum loads to space. Rockets launched from Sriharikota towards the south pole need to perform a turn manoeuvre to avoid overflying the island nation of Sri Lanka. This manoeuvre consumes fuel and affects efficiency. However, this manoeuvre can be entirely avoided when launching from Kulasekarapattinam, which is closer to India's southernmost tip.

The Indian Space agency ISRO is looking to operationalize its largest-yet rocket launchpad by the year 2029. Expected to be built at a cost of Rs 3985crore (approx $460mn), the third launchpad(TLP) will be an addition to the existing two launchpads 

The Indian Space Agency ISRO is looking to operationalise its largest-yet rocket launchpad by the year 2029. Expected to be built at a cost of Rs 3985 crore (approx $460mn), the third launchpad(TLP) will be an addition to the existing two launchpads at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, which is India's lISRO sets 2029 target for Next-gen rocket launchpadone spaceport.

The Indian Space agency ISRO is looking to operationalize its largest-yet rocket launchpad by the year 2029. Expected to be built at a cost of Rs 3985crore (approx $460mn), the third launchpad(TLP)&nbsp;will be an addition to the existing two launchpads&nbsp;

ISRO's mega launchpad for next-gen rockets to be ready by 2029

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ISRO to launch US firm's Bluebird-6 satellite on December 24

ISRO's mega launchpad for next-gen rockets to be ready by 2029