Sriharikotla: India’s heaviest “Bahubali” rocket, the LVM3-M6 (Launch Vehicle Mark 3-M6), launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh, on Wednesday morning at 8:55:30 am. This mission is part of a commercial agreement between ISRO and the American company AST SpaceMobile. Under this agreement, ISRO launched the Bluebird Block-2 satellite into low-Earth orbit (LEO) using the LVM3-M6 rocket. This is a next-generation communications satellite designed to deliver high-speed cellular broadband services directly to smartphones worldwide.
This will enable 4G and 5G voice calls, video calls, messaging, and data services to any part of the world. Calls can be made directly from space using any smartphone. However, currently, calls cannot be made even while sitting in an airplane because it impacts navigation systems.
- Weight: Approximately 6100 to 6500 kg (This is the heaviest payload ever launched from Indian soil by LVM3).
- Size: It has a 223 square meter (about 2,400 square feet) phased array antenna, making it the largest commercial communications satellite to be deployed in low Earth orbit.
- Capability: It supports 4G and 5G networks. Will provide high-speed broadband to a typical smartphone straight from space.
- Speed: Peak data speeds of up to 120 Mbps per coverage cell, supporting voice calls, video calls, text, streaming and data services.
- Purpose: This satellite is part of AST SpaceMobile’s global constellation, which will provide 24/7 connectivity around the world, extending the mobile network to remote areas, oceans, and mountains.
- Previous satellites: The company launched Bluebird 1-5 satellites in September 2024, providing continuous internet coverage in the US and several other countries. Block 2 has 10 times more bandwidth capacity.
ISRO’s LVM3-M6 mission today successfully launched the Bluebird Block-2 satellite from US company AST SpaceMobile into low Earth orbit. It is the world’s largest commercial communications satellite, providing high-speed broadband directly from space to ordinary smartphones. This is LVM3’s sixth operational mission and its heaviest payload to date.
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