IBNS-CMEDIA: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Wednesday successfully launched the BlueBird Block-2 communication spacecraft of US-based AST SpaceMobile aboard its heavy-lift launch vehicle LVM3-M6, also known as the ‘Baahubali’ rocket, marking a major milestone for the national space agency.
Adding another chapter to India’s spaceflight achievements, the spacecraft lifted off at 8:55 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
Confirming the success of the mission, ISRO announced on X: “Mission Success: The LVM3-M6 mission has successfully placed the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into its intended orbit.”
What is the BlueBird Block-2 Mission?
The LVM3-M6 / BlueBird Block-2 Mission is a dedicated commercial launch carried out by ISRO using the LVM3 launch vehicle to deploy the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite developed by AST SpaceMobile, USA. The mission marks the sixth operational flight of the LVM3 rocket.
The LVM3, developed by ISRO, is a three-stage heavy-lift launch vehicle consisting of two solid strap-on boosters (S200), a liquid core stage (L110), and a cryogenic upper stage (C25). The rocket has a lift-off mass of 640 tonnes, stands 43.5 metres tall, and is capable of carrying payloads of up to 4,200 kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).https://x.com/narendramodi/status/2003677923820335183?s=20
Significant stride in space sector: Modi
Indian PM Narendra Modi appreciated the mission’s accomplishment and said it marks a significant stride in India’s space sector.
“The successful LVM3-M6 launch, placing the heaviest satellite ever launched from Indian soil, the spacecraft of USA, BlueBird Block-2, into its intended orbit, marks a proud milestone in India’s space journey,” he said.
“It strengthens India’s heavy-lift launch capability and reinforces our growing role in the global commercial launch market. This is also reflective of our efforts towards an Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Congratulations to our hardworking space scientists and engineers,” Modi wrote on X.
