ISRO BlueBird 2 Launch Sets New LVM3 Record
India made a big step further in space by the successful launch of the LVM3, M6 rocket. It was carrying BlueBird Block, 2 satellite of AST SpaceMobile, a company based in the US. Such an effort by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) shows how trusted India is for heavy, lift launches internationally. It is also ISRO’s advances in the competitive commercial space market.
A Major Business Move for ISRO
The LVM3, M6 rocket was launched at 8:55 am from the second launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. The mission was a result of a commercial agreement between NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISROs commercial wing, and AST SpaceMobile. It showed how India’s emerging technology is creating global collaborations in the space industry.
It is expected that about 15 minutes after the launch, the BlueBird Block, 2 satellite will separate from the rocket. Also, it will be put in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) of around 600 km. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan went to the spaceport to supervise the mission. This was his way of highlighting the project’s strategic importance.
Heaviest Payload to LEO by LVM3
The BlueBird Block, 2 satellite is going to be the heaviest payload that LVM3 will have sent to LEO with a weight of close to 6, 100 kg.
This sets a new benchmark for the rocket’s capabilities. The record before this was established by the CMS, 03 communication satellite that had a mass of around 4, 400 kg. It was sent to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit in November 2022.
Such a feat is a clear indication of the LVM3 platform’s enhanced reliability and robustness. Hence, the increased confidence of the foreign customers for the next international commercial launches from India.
All Details About the LVM3 Launch VehicleKnown as GSLV Mk III, the LVM3 is 43.5 metres tall. At the time of the takeoff, it is around 640 tonnes in weight. The rocket is a three, stage launch vehicle that is supported by two S200 solid strap, on boosters, an L110 liquid core stage, and a C25 cryogenic upper stage.
LVM3, ISROs most potent in, service rocket, has been on board for record. It is breaking missions such as Chandrayaan, 2, Chandrayaan, 3, and the two OneWeb missions that together carried 72 satellites into orbit.
What Makes BlueBird Block-2 Unique
What Makes BlueBird Block, 2 DifferentBlueBird Block, 2 is one of the AST SpaceMobile’s LEO constellation ambitious projects. It aims at providing space, based cellular broadband directly to regular smartphones. Thus, no need for any specialized device. The satellite is equipped with a large phased, array antenna of 223 square meters. Thereby becoming the largest commercial communications satellite ever launched in LEO.
AST SpaceMobile insists that the network will permit such user activities as 4G and 5G voice and video calls, text messaging, data streaming, and access to broadband internet globally. In a move, the company rolled out five BlueBird satellites successfully in September 2024 and now has partnerships with more than 50 mobile operators worldwide.
Why This Launch Matters for India
BlueBird, 2 is a mission that signals a lot of things besides just another satellite launch. It illustrates how recent technology in India combined with the dependable launch systems of ISRO is shaping the country to become a well, known commercial launch hub. Because of the increased worldwide demand and a good track record, ISRO’s commercial space initiatives are likely to get more support in the coming years.
