India’s space program celebrated a historic Christmas Eve when the ISRO launched its heavy-lift rocket LVM3. The mission carried the heaviest foreign satellite ever sent to space from Indian territory.
The mission lifted off smoothly from the Second Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 8:54 am IST on December 24. This accomplishment adds another milestone to India’s reputation as a reliable global launch partner.
‘Bahubali’ rocket delivers impressive massive 6.5-tonne payload
The LVM3 rocket, nicknamed “Bahubali” for its impressive 640-tonne lift-off mass. It placed AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird Block-2 satellite into a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) of around 520 to 600 km. Weighing around 6.5 tonnes, this satellite is the largest commercial communication payload ever launched into LEO. It marks ISRO’s 101st successful orbital launch.
The three-stage launch vehicle, powered by twin S200 solid boosters, an L110 liquid core stage, and the C25 cryogenic upper stage, worked exactly as planned, earning loud applause from scientists and spectators alike.
Direct-to-phone connectivity and commercial triumph
BlueBird Block-2 signifies a significant advance in satellite communications technology. It features a large 223-square-metre phased-array antenna. It allows it to transmit 4G and 5G signals directly to standard smartphones, without needing ground towers or specialized devices.
This next-generation “direct-to-cell” technology aims to provide mobile connectivity to remote mountain regions, deep-sea zones, deserts, and other underserved areas worldwide.
The mission carried out under a commercial agreement supported by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO commercial arm. This marks the third fully commercial flight of LVM3, highlighting India’s increasing presence in the global launch services market. This success will attract more international customers and bolster India’s multi-billion-dollar space economy.
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