ISRO To Launch Its Heaviest Us Commercial Satellite: Bluebird-6
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: TOI
Subject: Science and Technology
Context: ISRO will launch BlueBird-6, the heaviest American commercial communication satellite (6.5 tonnes) ever to be launched by India, on December 15 aboard the LVM3 rocket.
About ISRO To Launch Its Heaviest Us Commercial Satellite: Bluebird-6:
• What it is? A 6.5-tonne Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) communication satellite, part of AST SpaceMobile’s next-generation constellation designed for direct-to-device mobile broadband globally.
• A 6.5-tonne Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) communication satellite, part of AST SpaceMobile’s next-generation constellation designed for direct-to-device mobile broadband globally.
• Key Features:
• Largest commercial phased array antenna in LEO: ~2,400 sq ft once deployed Block-2 series: 3.5× larger than BlueBirds 1–5 and 10× higher data capacity Provides up to 10,000 MHz bandwidth per satellite Enables non-continuous direct-to-device connectivity in areas without terrestrial networks
• Largest commercial phased array antenna in LEO: ~2,400 sq ft once deployed
• Block-2 series: 3.5× larger than BlueBirds 1–5 and 10× higher data capacity
• Provides up to 10,000 MHz bandwidth per satellite
• Enables non-continuous direct-to-device connectivity in areas without terrestrial networks
About Launch Vehicle LVM3 (Bahubali Rocket)
• What it is? India’s heaviest-lift launch vehicle, capable of placing 8,000 kg into LEO and 4,000 kg into GTO, and the designated launcher for Gaganyaan human spaceflight missions.
• India’s heaviest-lift launch vehicle, capable of placing 8,000 kg into LEO and 4,000 kg into GTO, and the designated launcher for Gaganyaan human spaceflight missions.
• Features:
• Three-stage configuration: S200 solid strap-on boosters (204 tonnes propellant; among the world’s largest). L110 liquid core stage with twin engines. C25 cryogenic upper stage powered by indigenous CE-20 engine (28-ton propellant load). Dimensions: 43.5 m height, 640-ton lift-off mass, 5-m payload fairing. Precision staging sequence: S200 ignition, separation at ~137 seconds. L110 ignition at ~113 seconds, separation at ~313 seconds. C25 ignition thereafter. Injects spacecraft into GTO (180 × 36,000 km) in ~974 seconds. Recently launched CMS-3 (4.4 tonnes) successfully. Human-rated LVM3 variant to fly astronauts under Gaganyaan in 2027.
• Three-stage configuration: S200 solid strap-on boosters (204 tonnes propellant; among the world’s largest). L110 liquid core stage with twin engines. C25 cryogenic upper stage powered by indigenous CE-20 engine (28-ton propellant load).
• S200 solid strap-on boosters (204 tonnes propellant; among the world’s largest).
• L110 liquid core stage with twin engines.
• C25 cryogenic upper stage powered by indigenous CE-20 engine (28-ton propellant load).
• Dimensions: 43.5 m height, 640-ton lift-off mass, 5-m payload fairing.
• Precision staging sequence: S200 ignition, separation at ~137 seconds. L110 ignition at ~113 seconds, separation at ~313 seconds. C25 ignition thereafter.
• S200 ignition, separation at ~137 seconds.
• L110 ignition at ~113 seconds, separation at ~313 seconds.
• C25 ignition thereafter.
• Injects spacecraft into GTO (180 × 36,000 km) in ~974 seconds.
• Recently launched CMS-3 (4.4 tonnes) successfully.
• Human-rated LVM3 variant to fly astronauts under Gaganyaan in 2027.