ISRO is preparing for another major success in its commercial launch programme. The space agency will launch the 6.5-ton Bluebird-6 communication satellite from the United States on December 15. ISRO will use its most powerful rocket, the LVM3, for this mission.
Bluebird-6 was developed by AST Space Mobile, an American company. The satellite reached the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on October 19. It carries the largest commercial phased array ever sent to space. The company also said the new satellite offers ten times more data capacity than previous Bluebird models.
NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, is leading the launch campaign. This mission marks the second major space partnership between India and the US. In July, ISRO launched the NISAR satellite, a $1.5-billion project developed jointly with NASA.
The LVM3 rocket continues to strengthen India’s position in the global launch market. It can carry 8,000 kg to low-Earth orbit and 4,000 kg to geosynchronous transfer orbit. On November 2, the same rocket placed the 4.4-ton CMS-3 satellite into orbit.
ISRO expects the Bluebird-6 mission to boost India’s growing role in commercial satellite launches.
