Fresh off the historic launch of the NISAR Earth observation satellite on July 30, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for another milestone — the launch of the US-built Block-2 BlueBird communication satellite.

Weighing 6,500 kg, BlueBird is designed for direct-to-smartphone broadband connectivity, removing the need for specialized terminals. The satellite carries massive communication arrays — spanning up to 2,400 sq ft — and can deliver data speeds of up to 12 Mbps, enabling seamless voice, data, and video communication for users.

Expected to arrive in India by September, the satellite will be launched aboard ISRO’s heaviest rocket, the LVM-3-M5, from the Sriharikota spaceport. BlueBird uses patented technologies developed by AST & Science for its SpaceMobile constellation, operating on 3GPP-standard frequencies in collaboration with major global telecom providers.

The communications array, measuring 64.38 sq m, will allow the satellite to connect directly to mobile phones, making it a leap forward in satellite-based communication services.

ISRO chairman V. Narayanan, speaking after receiving an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan at SRM Institute of Science and Technology, reflected on India’s space journey. He recalled how ISRO began in 1963 with a single US-donated rocket and, by 1975, demonstrated mass communication using US satellite data to broadcast TV to 2,400 villages across six states.

“From those humble beginnings, July 30 marked a historic day for the Indian space programme with NISAR. Today, we are working shoulder to shoulder with the world’s most advanced nations,” Narayanan said.

The upcoming BlueBird mission is set to further strengthen Indo-US space collaboration and showcase India’s growing role in global space technology.

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