ISRO creates history with launch of BlueBird Block-2, heaviest LEO payload

Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO Chairman V Narayanan on Wednesday lauded the successful launch of the BlueBird Block2 communication satellite describing it as the heaviest satellite ever launched from Indian soil using an Indian rocketHe said the satellite was accurately placed into its designated orbit calling the mission a major milestone for ISRO reported news agency ANIDuring his speech V Narayanan said Launch vehicle has successfully and precisely injected the BlueBird Block 2 communication satellite in the intended orbit This is the first dedicated commercial launch for a customer from the USA that is AST SpaceMobile This is our 104th launch from Sriharikota also the 9th successful mission of the LVM3 launch vehicle demonstrating its 100 per cent reliability This mission which was the first dedicated commercial launch for USbased AST SpaceMobile also marked the 104th launch from Sriharikota and the 9th successful flight of the LVM3 launch vehicleThis is a backtoback mission of the LVM3 in just 52 days This is the heaviest satellite ever lifted from Indian soil using an Indian launcher This is also the third fully commercial mission of LVM3 and the vehicle has demonstrated its excellent track record he said reported ANIThe Indian Space Research Organisation ISRO on Wednesday successfully launched the BlueBird Block2 communication satellite of USbased AST SpaceMobile marking another major milestone for Indiarsquos space programmeThe satellite was precisely placed into its designated orbit following which the mission was declared a success The launch took place at 855 am IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota Andhra PradeshThe mission carries a nextgeneration communication satellite designed to deliver highspeed cellular broadband directly to smartphones across the globe Notably BlueBird Block2 is the heaviest payload ever launched into Low Earth Orbit by ISROrsquos LVM3 rocket underscoring the growing capabilities of Indiarsquos heavylift launch systemsThe satellite is part of the next generation of BlueBird Block2 communication satellites designed to provide spacebased cellular broadband connectivity directly to standard mobile smartphones ISRO said reported ANILVM3 developed by ISRO is a threestage launch vehicle comprising two solid strapon motors S200 a liquid core stage L110 and a cryogenic upper stage C25 It has a liftoff mass of 640 tonnes a height of 435 meters and a payload capability of 4200 kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit GTOIn its earlier missions LVM3 successfully launched Chandrayaan2 Chandrayaan3 and two OneWeb missions carrying 72 satellites The previous launch of LVM3 was the LVM3M5CMS03 mission which was successfully accomplished on November 2 this yearAST SpaceMobile as per its website is building the first and only spacebased cellular broadband network accessible directly by everyday smartphones designed for both commercial and government applicationsAccording to AST SpaceMobile its BlueBird satellites provide broadband directly to standard smartphones without specialised hardware or phone modifications allowing users to make video calls browse the web and use 4G and 5G internet speeds from anywhere on EarthWith ANI inputs