ISRO’s heaviest rocket launches US communication satellite BlueBird Block-2
ISRO’s heaviest rocket launches US communication satellite BlueBird Block-2
M.U.H
24/12/202514
In a dedicated commercial mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Wednesday successfully launched a next-generation US communication satellite, BlueBird Block-2, aboard its heaviest launch vehicle LVM3-M6 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre here.
The 43.5-metre-tall rocket, powered by two S200 solid strap-on boosters, lifted off majestically at 8:55 am from the second launch pad, about 135 km east of Chennai, as the 24-hour countdown concluded.
According to ISRO, after a flight of around 15 minutes, the BlueBird Block-2 spacecraft is expected to separate from the rocket and be placed into its intended Low Earth Orbit at an altitude of about 520 km.
The mission is being carried out under a commercial agreement between NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)—ISRO’s commercial arm—and US-based AST SpaceMobile (AST & Science, LLC).
BlueBird Block-2 is part of a global LEO constellation designed to provide direct-to-mobile satellite connectivity, enabling 4G and 5G voice and video calls, text messaging, streaming and data services across the world, even in remote areas.
The satellite features a 223 square metre phased-array antenna, making it the largest commercial communications satellite ever deployed in Low Earth Orbit, at an altitude of around 600 km.
ISRO officials said the liftoff time was revised from 8:54 am to 8:55 am to ensure precise orbital insertion. “The revision was made to place the satellite in the desired orbit following changes in timing,” an ISRO source said.
