India's LVM3-M6 rocket to launch record 6,100 kg commercial satellite for global smartphone broadband
India's LVM3-M6 rocket to launch record 6,100 kg commercial satellite for global smartphone broadband
India's LVM3-M6 rocket to launch record 6,100 kg commercial satellite for global smartphone broadband
India's heavy-lift rocket, the LVM3-M6, is set to launch the heaviest commercial payload ever placed into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) by an Indian vehicle. The mission, a partnership between NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) and US-based AST SpaceMobile, will carry the 6,100 kg Bluebird Block-2 satellite. Liftoff is scheduled for 8.54 am on Wednesday from ISRO's spaceport in Sriharikota. The 24-hour countdown for the mission began on Tuesday. The LVM3 rocket, standing 43.5 metres tall, is a three-stage vehicle powered by a cryogenic engine and two S200 solid rocket boosters. This launch marks a significant milestone as it will deploy Bluebird Block-2, a satellite designed to provide high-speed cellular broadband directly to standard smartphones worldwide.
AST SpaceMobile is building the first space-based cellular broadband network, supporting both 4G and 5G services. The company has also named AT&T as its US mobile network partner, which will utilise the global LEO broadband network expanded by Bluebird Block-2 satellites. Before the launch, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan visited the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Tirumala on December 23. The mission represents a dedicated commercial flight under a commercial agreement between NSIL and AST SpaceMobile.
The launch will demonstrate the LVM3's capability to handle heavier payloads for commercial missions. If successful, Bluebird Block-2 will enable direct-to-smartphone broadband services globally. The mission also strengthens India's position in the commercial space launch market.