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ISRO's Heaviest Satellite Launch: BlueBird 6 to Beam Space Broadband

ISRO successfully launched its heaviest commercial satellite, BlueBird 6, for US-based AST SpaceMobile from Sriharikota. The mission aims to test technology for beaming broadband directly to standard smartphones from a Low Earth Orbit of about 520 km. The launch was conducted under a commercial agreement with NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), ISRO's commercial arm. Union Minister Jitendra Singh congratulated ISRO, highlighting India's growing prowess in space technology under PM Modi's patronage.

Key Points: ISRO Launches Heaviest Satellite BlueBird 6 for AST SpaceMobile

  • Heaviest commercial payload for ISRO
  • Direct-to-smartphone broadband goal
  • Successful LVM3 rocket launch
  • Part of ISRO-NSIL commercial agreement
2 min read

ISRO launches its heaviest satellite 'BlueBird 6'

ISRO's LVM3 rocket successfully launches the heaviest commercial satellite, BlueBird 6, aiming to provide direct smartphone broadband from space.

"Mission Success The LVM3-M6 mission has successfully placed the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into its intended orbit. - ISRO"

Sriharikota, Dec 24

India's Launch Vehicle Mark-3-M6, carrying BlueBird 6, took off from Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota on Wednesday.

BlueBird 6, a next-generation communications satellite from US innovator AST SpaceMobile, was launched with a goal to beam the broadband straight from space to smartphones without any special gear.

The 43.5-meter-tall rocket, which is supported by two S200 solid boosters, lifted off at 8:55 a.m. following a 24-hour countdown from the second launch pad located approximately 135 km east of Chennai.

After approximately 15 minutes of flight, the spacecraft BlueBird Block-2, travelling on the rocket, is expected to separate and attain its designated orbit at an altitude of around 520 km, according to ISRO.

This mission is part of a commercial agreement established between NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), the commercial division of ISRO, and the US-based company AST SpaceMobile (AST and Science, LLC).

ISRO adopted a careful strategy and chose to postpone the launch of the Launch Vehicle Mark 3 M6 flight by 90 seconds. It was initially scheduled to lift off at 8:54 a.m., but the time was then adjusted to 8:55 a.m. and 30 seconds.

Taking to X, ISRO said, "Mission Success The LVM3-M6 mission has successfully placed the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into its intended orbit."

Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh took to X and congratulated ISRO for the successful launch.

"Kudos Team ISRO for the successful launch of LVM3-M6 carrying BlueBird Block-2. With the visionary patronage of PM Sh Narendra Modi, ISRO continues to achieve one success after another, reiterating India's growing prowess in Space technology," Singh said in a post on X.

In the meantime, the LVM3-M6 will launch the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into Low Earth Orbit.

This satellite is the largest commercial communications satellite and will also be the heaviest payload ever launched by LVM3 from Indian soil.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
This is fantastic news! Direct broadband from space to regular phones could be a game-changer for rural connectivity in India. Hope some of this technology and partnership benefits our own villages soon.
R
Rohit P
While the success is commendable, I wish the article gave more details on the financials. How much revenue does NSIL earn from such commercial launches? Transparency in these deals is important for public trust.
S
Sarah B
The precision is incredible! A 90-second delay shows they are not rushing and prioritizing safety and perfect conditions. That's the mark of a mature space agency. Well done, ISRO team.
V
Vikram M
Heaviest payload yet! This proves our launch infrastructure is world-class. Next step should be focusing on reusable rocket technology to bring costs down further and capture more of the global market.
K
Karthik V
Great achievement, no doubt. But I hope ISRO and the government also allocate significant resources and have a clear roadmap for our own scientific missions like Chandrayaan-4 and Gaganyaan. Commercial is good, but exploration is inspiration.

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