India is preparing for one of the most ambitious space launches in its history, as ISRO gets ready to send AST SpaceMobile’s massive BlueBird satellite into orbit aboard its LVM3 rocket. Unlike traditional communication satellites that rely on towers on the ground, BlueBird is designed to connect directly with ordinary 4G and 5G smartphones. Weighing around 6,500 kilograms and equipped with powerful phased-array antennas, the satellite promises to deliver broadband internet to even the most remote places on Earth, from mountain villages and deserts to ships in the middle of the ocean.
The BlueBird mission is also a major milestone in Indo-US space collaboration, following on the heels of joint projects like the NISAR satellite. Its successful launch, expected in late 2025, could mark the beginning of “towerless internet” — a future where connectivity no longer depends on building costly infrastructure in every corner of the world. For India, this mission not only strengthens its role as a global space launch partner but also offers the possibility of bridging digital gaps for millions who still struggle with unreliable or inaccessible internet.
