ISRO’s LVM3-M6 places BlueBird Block-2 into orbit

• ISRO’s heaviest rocket, LVM3-M6, successfully placed 6,100 kg US communication satellite BlueBird Block-2 into orbit on December 24.

• The 43.5 metre tall rocket soared majestically at 8.55 am from the second launch pad in Sriharikota. 

• After a flight journey of about 15 minutes, the spacecraft got separated from the launch vehicle and it was successfully placed into orbit.

• It was the heaviest satellite to be launched from Indian soil.

• The previous heaviest was the LVM3-M5 Communication Satellite 03, weighing about 4,400 kg, which was successfully launched by ISRO on November 2 in the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

• LVM3-M6 carried the communication satellite as part of a commercial deal between NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) and US-based AST SpaceMobile (AST and Science, LLC). 

• NewSpace India is the commercial arm of ISRO.

Launch Vehicle Mark-3

• Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) is the operational heavy lift Launch Vehicle of ISRO and has a spectacular pedigree of completing eight consecutive successful missions.

• The LVM3, also known as the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-MkIII), is a three-stage rocket with a cryogenic engine designed and developed by ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre.

• The vehicle uses two S200 solid rocket boosters to provide the huge amount of thrust required for the lift-off. 

• The booster has been developed by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram.

• In its earlier missions, LVM3 successfully launched Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and two OneWeb missions carrying 72 satellites.

BlueBird Block-2 satellite

• The BlueBird Block-2 satellite is part of a constellation of global Low Earth Orbit (LEO) mission to provide direct-to-mobile connectivity through satellite that would enable 4G and 5G voice and video calls, texts, streaming and data for everyone, everywhere at all times. 

• The mission is aimed at deploying the next-generation communication satellite designed to provide high-speed cellular broadband directly to smartphones.

• AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network, which is accessible directly by smartphones and designed for both commercial and government applications.

• According to AST SpaceMobile, it has launched five satellites, Bluebird 1-5 in September 2024, which provide continuous coverage across the United States and other select countries.

• The company has planned to launch similar satellites to augment its network support and has partnered with over 50 mobile operators across the globe.