ISRO set to launch Bluebird Block-2 satellite today; here’s all about key space mission
This mission represents LVM3’s sixth operational flight. In the mission, LVM3-M6 will deploy the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into Low Earth Orbit, making it the largest commercial communications satellite to be deployed in Low Earth Orbit.
The 24-hour countdown for the space mission began on Tuesday.
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) announced that the LVM3-M6 rocket carrying the new generation US communications satellite is preparing for launch on Wednesday morning, December 24. The 24-hour countdown for the space mission began on Tuesday. The Bluebird Block-2 satellite will be launched on a special commercial mission using the Indian space agency’s heavy-lift vehicle LVM3-M6. The takeoff is reportedly scheduled for 8.54 am, news agency PTI reported.
This mission represents LVM3’s sixth operational flight. In the mission, LVM3-M6 will deploy the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into Low Earth Orbit, making it the largest commercial communications satellite to be deployed in Low Earth Orbit. It will also be the heaviest payload that LVM3 will launch from Indian soil. ISRO said in a statement that the satellite is part of the next generation BlueBird Block-2 communications satellites designed to provide space-based cellular broadband connectivity directly to standard mobile smartphones.
Developed by ISRO, LVM3 is a three-stage launch vehicle consisting of two solid belt engines (S200), a liquid core stage (L110) and a cryogenic upper stage (C25). It has a takeoff mass of 640 tonnes, an altitude of 43.5 meters and a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) payload capacity of 4,200 kg. In its previous missions, LVM3 had successfully launched Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3 and two OneWeb missions carrying 72 satellites. The previous launch of LVM3 was the LVM3-M5/CMS-03 mission, which was successfully completed on November 2 this year. AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network directly accessible via everyday smartphones designed for both commercial and government applications, according to its website. According to AST SpaceMobile, BlueBird satellites deliver broadband directly to standard smartphones without requiring special hardware or phone modifications, allowing users to make video calls, browse the web and use 4G and 5G internet speeds from anywhere in the world.
(With inputs from news agency ANI).
