ISRO launches the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite of AST SpaceMobile, USA, onboard its launch vehicle LVM3-M6 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, in Sriharikota. (PTI Photo/R SenthilKumar)
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"BlueBird Block-2 satellite successfully separated. LVM-3 M6 Blue Bird Block 2 mission successfully accomplished,” the deep voice of the Range Director resonated across ISRO’s launch control room at Sriharikota at 9:11 AM India time on Wednesday. With this, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) crossed a new milestone by launching the heaviest ever satellite from Indian soil.
It took 15 minutes and 30 seconds for ISRO’s Launch Vehicle Mark – 3 (LVM-3) to place the 6,100 kg American satellite into its intended orbit around 520 kilometres above the Earth after a perfect lift-off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota on the eastern seaboard north of Chennai.
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Students look on during the launch of the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite. PTI
This is the ninth flight and the sixth operational mission of LMV-3, ISRO’s most powerful rocket till date which has been used for other missions like the Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3. Today’s mission also marks the positioning of the largest satellite in a low earth orbit. Built by ATS SpaceMobile, it is part of a global constellation to provide direct-to-mobile connectivity through satellites.
“Powered by India’s youth, our space programme is getting more advanced and impactful. With LVM3 demonstrating reliable heavy-lift performance, we are strengthening the foundations for future missions such as Gaganyaan, expanding commercial launch services and deepening global partnerships,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on his X-handle soon after.
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The 43.5–meter tall LVM-3 is a three-stage launch vehicle comprising two solid strap-on S-200 motors, a liquid core stage, L110, and a cryogenic upper stage, the C-25, with a total lift-off mass of 640 tonnes.
Today’s mission also validated several other new technologies for the space agency. Speaking after the launch, ISRO Director, Dr V Narayanan said that the LVM-3 has demonstrated the best performance for any launch vehicle around the globe. “Today’s orbital target was 520 kms and the LVM-3 achieved a circular orbit of 518.5 kms, which is spectacular,” he said.
The ISRO chief said that for the first time electro mechanical actuator control systems were inducted for the S-200 motors, which performed successfully, giving us great confidence for the Gaganyaan, India’s manned spaceflight programme.
LVM-3 M6 is the third fully commercial mission for this type of rocket, which has demonstrated 100 per cent success rate. The last flight of the LVM-3 was on November 2, when the GSAT-7R for the Indian Navy was launched.
“Two back-to-back missions within 52 days is a great achievement. It is not an easy task given enormous efforts required and the coordination needed between various ISRO units, industry and other associated establishments,” Dr Narayanan said.
ISRO’s tally of launching foreign satellites has touched 434 from 34 countries, with the US being the largest client. It has been carrying out satellite launches commercially for foreign countries since 1999, when it placed South Lorea’s KITSAT-3 and Germany’s DLR-TUBSAT into orbit using its workhorse, the PSLV.
The satellites launched for foreign entities include earth observation, communication, technology demonstration and scientific missions.
