Vodafone UK's satellite partner AST SpaceMobile has sent their BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite into its intended Low Earth Orbit with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)'s LVM3-M6 rocket on 24th December 2025. BlueBird Block-2 satellites, including BlueBird 6, feature a massive 2,400 square foot (223 m²) communication array, weighing in at 6,100 kilograms, was the heaviest payload that the LVM3 has ever launched into LEO.
While ISRO firmly maintains its stand of global satellite launch market with 6th mission of LVM3, it also marks the completion of 100 orbital launches. The LVM3 launch vehicle (Launch Vehicle Mark-3, formerly GSLV MkIII), developed by ISRO, is a three-stage rocket comprising two solid strap-on motors (S200), a liquid core stage (L110) and a cryogenic upper stage (C25). With a lift-off mass of 640 tonnes and a height of 43.5 metres, the vehicle is capable of carrying up to 4,200 kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.
Previously Chandrayaan-2 (2019) and Chandrayaan-3 (2023) was launched by LVM3, the flagship national space program. LVM3 was also used by OneWeb satellite launches twice - placed 72 satellites in the orbit. The fifth LVM3 mission, LVM3-M5/CMS-03, was successfully completed on November 2, 2025.
However it's not the first time AST SpaceMobile worked with ISRO. In 2019 ISRO's PSLV-C45 rocket launched AST SpaceMobile's first experimental satellite, BlueWalker 1, from Satish Dhawan Space Centre.
AST SpaceMobile's approach is different from Starlink, as AST wants to connect your smartphones with satellites. And for that AST has been partnered with more than 40 telecom companies across the world including AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone, Rakuten, Google, American Tower, Bell, and STC Group.
AST SpaceMobile informed that it is on track to launch 45-60 satellites by the end of 2026, with launches planned every one or two months on average.
India's third largest mobile operator, Vi (Vodafone Idea Pvt Ltd) had entered into strategic partnership with AST SpaceMobile in June 2025 to bring together Vi's robust national 2G/4G/5G network with AST SpaceMobile's revolutionary space-based cellular technology, which connects directly to unmodified smartphones without the need of any specialized software or device support or updates.
As AST SpaceMobile's constellation is growing, on the occasion of launch of BlueBird 6, Vi CEO Mr. Abhijit Kishore shared his excitement, “We are excited to bring the Vi-AST partnership to India and believe it will mark the beginning of transformative impact in bridging the connectivity to the unconnected parts of India. It will open up a world of new possibilities, greater inclusivity and unlock opportunities for millions of Indians.”
It should be noted that Vi's parent company Vodafone UK is a long term partner of AST SpaceMobile and for AST SpaceMobile India is a priority market, as Texas (US)-based satcom company opened up an office at in Salarpuria Sattva Knowledge City, Hyderbad in July 2023. The office is headed by Narayana Pidugu, a veteran of the technology and space industries.
If you follow satcom closely, you already know that Airtel's parent company Bharti has share in Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio formed Jio Space Technology Ltd with Luxembourg's satellite operator SES. Not only that both Jio and Airtel have partnered with Elon Musk's SpaceX to offer Starlink satellite internet, aiming to expand broadband access, especially in underserved areas, by leveraging Starlink's satellite constellation with Jio and Airtel's local networks for delivery.
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