ISRO’s heaviest rocket, LVM3-M6, successfully placed a heavy US communication satellite into orbit on Wednesday, a feat described by the space agency chief as a season’s gift to the country.
The 6,100 kg BlueBird Block-2 satellite is part of a constellation of global Low Earth Orbit (LEO) missions to provide direct-to-mobile connectivity through a satellite that would enable 4G and 5G voice and video calls, texts, streaming and data for everyone, everywhere at all times. It was the heaviest satellite to be launched from Indian soil, ISRO said.
The mission is aimed at deploying the next-generation communication satellite designed to provide high-speed cellular broadband directly to smartphones. AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network, which is accessible directly by smartphones and designed for both commercial and Government applications.
The LVM3-M6, also known as the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-MkIII), is a three-stage rocket with a cryogenic engine designed and developed by ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre.
The vehicle uses two S200 solid rocket boosters to provide the huge amount of thrust required for the lift-off. The booster has been