Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh), Dec 24 (PTI) In a dedicated commercial mission, ISRO on Wednesday successfully launched a next-generation US communication satellite, BlueBird Block-2, onboard its heaviest launch vehicle LVM3-M6 from Sriharikota.
As the 24-hour countdown concluded, the 43.5-metre-tall rocket, powered by two S200 solid boosters, lifted off at 8.55 am from the second launch pad at the spaceport, located about 135 km east of Chennai.
After a flight duration of around 15 minutes, the BlueBird Block-2 satellite, mounted piggyback on the rocket, is expected to separate and reach its designated orbit at an altitude of approximately 520 km, ISRO said.
The mission is being carried out under a commercial agreement between NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) — ISRO’s commercial arm — and US-based AST SpaceMobile (AST and Science, LLC).
The BlueBird Block-2 mission forms part of a global Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation aimed at providing direct-to-mobile connectivity. The constellation is designed to enable 4G and 5G voice and video calls, messaging, streaming and data services anywhere in the world at all times.
The satellite features a 223 square metre phased-array antenna, making it the largest commercial communications satellite ever deployed into Low Earth Orbit, at around 600 km altitude, by ISRO.
Until Tuesday, the launch was scheduled for 8.54 am. However, the lift-off time was revised to 8.55 am on Wednesday. ISRO sources said the change was made to ensure precise placement of the satellite into its intended orbit following updated mission calculations.
“Earlier, the lift-off had been planned at 11.30 am, but it was gradually revised and finally fixed at 8.55 am,” an official told PTI on Wednesday.
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