ISRO set for historic LVM3-M6 launch today: All you need to know about the mission

New Delhi:

In a landmark commercial mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is scheduled to launch the BlueBird Block-2 spacecraft today, December 24, at 8:55.30 AM IST. The launch was earlier scheduled for 8.54 am today but got delayed for 90 seconds to avoid space debris. The mission will lift off from the second launch pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, using the LVM3-M6 heavy-lift launch vehicle.

Weighing 6,100 kg, this communication satellite marks a significant milestone as the heaviest payload ever placed into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in the history of the LVM3. This surpasses the previous record held by the LVM3-M5 mission, which successfully delivered a 4,400 kg payload into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).

Where to watch ISRO LVM3-M6 mission

Interested viewers can watch the launch live on ISRO's official YouTube channel or via the stream embedded below. The broadcast is scheduled to begin at 08:25 IST.

A strategic global partnership

This mission is being executed under a commercial agreement between NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO, and the US-based AST SpaceMobile.

Ahead of the launch, ISRO Chairman Dr. S. Somanath (Note: Updated for accuracy) and senior officials visited the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala on December 22 to offer prayers for the mission's success.

Understanding the BlueBird Block-2 mission

The BlueBird Block-2 is a next-generation communication satellite designed to provide high-speed cellular broadband directly to standard smartphones worldwide.

Key Mission Highlights:

• Direct-to-Mobile Connectivity: The satellite is part of a global LEO constellation designed to enable 4G and 5G voice, video, text, and data services without the need for specialized ground equipment.
• Massive Scale: The spacecraft features a 223-square-meter phased array antenna, making it the largest commercial communications satellite ever deployed into LEO (at an altitude of approximately 600 km).
• Global Reach: AST SpaceMobile has partnered with over 50 mobile operators globally to provide continuous internet coverage, building on the success of their BlueBird 1-5 satellites launched in September 2024.

The Launch Vehicle: LVM3

The 43.5-meter tall LVM3 (formerly known as GSLV Mk III) is a three-stage heavy-lift rocket. Its architecture includes:

1. Solid Boosters: Two S200 solid rocket boosters, developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), provide the massive thrust required for liftoff.
2. Core Stage: A liquid-propellant stage.
3. Cryogenic Stage: An advanced upper stage developed by ISRO's Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC).

The flight sequence is expected to last approximately 15 minutes, after which the BlueBird Block-2 will separate from the launch vehicle and begin its deployment in orbit.

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