AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird Block 2 satellites are part of a new class of spacecraft designed for direct-to-smartphone communication from orbit. These satellites are designed to support continuous cellular broadband service, starting with markets such as the United States, and aim to deliver voice, data, and video services directly to unmodified smartphones.

Each Block 2 satellite features a 2,400 sq ft phased-array antenna, placing them among the largest satellite arrays ever deployed in low Earth orbit. The arrays support beamforming with up to 40 MHz per beam and peak data rates of 120 Mbps, capable of supporting high-throughput data services, including video and real-time connectivity.

The performance upgrade is powered by the custom AST5000 ASIC chip, developed with TSMC, which provides up to 10,000 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth while improving power efficiency and reducing cost.

AST SpaceMobile plans to launch up to 60 Block 2 satellites between 2025 and 2026 using multiple launch providers, including Blue Origin’s New Glenn, SpaceX Falcon 9, and ISRO’s GSLV. The first deployment is planned aboard an Indian GSLV mission.

The company is working with network operators such as AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone, Rakuten, and Google, and holds agreements with more than 45 mobile carriers representing nearly 3 billion subscribers. A long-term contract with Vodafone in Europe and Africa extends to 2034 and covers both Block 1 and Block 2 satellite infrastructure.

Courtesy of AST.

The LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3), formerly known as GSLV Mk III, is India’s most powerful operational launch vehicle, developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It is designed to carry heavier payloads into space and plays a crucial role in India’s ambitions for both commercial satellite launches and deep space exploration. First launched in 2014 as a suborbital test flight and then fully operational by 2017, the LVM3 has since become the backbone of ISRO's heavy-lift missions. It notably launched the Chandrayaan-2 lunar mission and is slated for use in the upcoming Gaganyaan crewed spaceflight program.

Specs

Height: 43.43 m (142.5 ft)

Diameter: 4 m (13 ft)

Mass: 640,000 kg (1,410,000 lb)

Stages: 3

Payload to Low Earth Orbit (LEO): 10,000 kg (22,000 lb)

Payload to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO): 4,300 kg (9,500 lb)

The LVM3 is a three-stage vehicle consisting of two large S200 solid rocket boosters strapped to either side of the core stage, a liquid-fueled L110 core powered by twin Vikas engines, and a C25 cryogenic upper stage that uses a CE-20 engine fueled by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. The vehicle is built to be modular, cost-effective, and capable of handling both governmental and commercial payloads, positioning India as a competitive player in the global launch market.

Image courtesy of ISRO.

The Second Launch Pad (SLP) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, India, is one of ISRO’s primary launch complexes. Operational since 2005, it was developed to support the growing number of satellite launches and to reduce dependence on the older First Launch Pad. The SLP is a versatile and modular facility, capable of launching all of ISRO's current rockets, including the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), and LVM3 (formerly GSLV Mk III).

Located on the eastern coast of India, the site allows for launches over the Bay of Bengal, ideal for a range of orbital inclinations. The SLP features a Mobile Service Tower (MST) and a Fixed Umbilical Tower (FUT) for vehicle integration, fueling, and payload access, enhancing launch preparation efficiency and safety. It has been used for major missions like Chandrayaan, Mars Orbiter Mission, and several NavIC satellites.

Image courtesy of ISRO.