ISRO’s LVM3-M6 to Launch US Firm AST SpaceMobile’s Satellite on December 24

ISRO is preparing for a major commercial space mission as its LVM3-M6 rocket is scheduled to launch a communication satellite for US-based AST SpaceMobile on December 24, 2025. The launch will take place at 08:54 AM IST from the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota.

This mission marks a significant milestone for India’s commercial space activities, as it involves the dedicated launch of AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird Block-2 satellite. The launch is being carried out under a commercial agreement between AST SpaceMobile Inc. and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm.

According to AST SpaceMobile, the BlueBird Block-2 satellite is designed to deliver continuous, high-speed cellular broadband connectivity directly to standard smartphones across the globe. These next-generation satellites are equipped with massive phased-array antennas covering nearly 2,400 square feet, making them the largest commercial communication arrays ever deployed in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This is a significant upgrade from the first-generation BlueBird satellites, which had arrays measuring around 693 square feet.

India’s Space Sector Sees Record Investments

Alongside technological advancements, India’s space industry is witnessing unprecedented financial growth. Since the government opened the sector to private participation in 2020, investment levels have surged.

Speaking at the India Economic Forum in New Delhi, IN-SPACe Chairman Pawan Goenka revealed that the sector has already attracted $150 million in funding during the current financial year—the highest ever recorded. He expressed confidence that total funding would cross $200 million by the end of the year, more than double the amount raised in the previous fiscal.

Goenka also projected that India’s space economy, currently valued at around $8 billion, could expand rapidly to $44 billion by 2033. He noted a shift in market dynamics, with several government departments now turning to private space startups for specialised solutions, reducing exclusive dependence on ISRO.