(Screengrab)
ISRO on Wednesday successfully launched a next-generation US communication satellite BlueBird Block-2 onboard its heaviest vehicle LVM3-M6. The mission, LVM3-M6, carried the BlueBird Block-2 satellite of US-based AST SpaceMobile under a dedicated commercial agreement. The 43.5-metre-tall LVM3 lifted off at 8.55 am from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, after the completion of a 24-hour countdown. Powered by two S200 solid boosters, a liquid core stage and a cryogenic upper stage, the rocket performed flawlessly. Around 15 minutes into the flight, BlueBird Block-2 was successfully separated and placed into its intended orbit at an altitude of about 520 km, prompting ISRO to declare the mission a success.BlueBird Block-2 is the heaviest payload ever launched into low Earth orbit by the LVM3, making the mission a first of its kind for the Indian launch vehicle. The satellite forms part of AST SpaceMobile’s global LEO constellation aimed at providing direct-to-mobile connectivity, enabling 4G and 5G voice calls, video, messaging and data services on standard smartphones without specialised hardware.The launch was undertaken through NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, as part of its agreement with AST SpaceMobile. ISRO said the mission marked the sixth operational flight of the LVM3, which has previously launched Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3 and multiple OneWeb satellite missions.
