Sriharikota, Dec 24: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has achieved another historic achievement in space. It has successfully put the American Bluebird Black-2 satellite into orbit.
The 'Bluebird Black-2' satellite was successfully launched from the 2nd launch pad of the Sriharikota launch centre in Andhra Pradesh at 8.55 am today.
The LVM3-M6 Bluebird Black-2 satellite entered the low earth orbit about 15 minutes after the launch.
This is the largest commercial communication satellite ever deployed in Earth orbit. The Bluebird Black-2 satellite is the heaviest payload launched by an LVM3 from Indian soil.
This communication satellite has been developed by the American AST Spacemobile. It is part of the next-generation Bluebird Block-2 communications satellite, designed to provide direct-to-space cellular broadband connectivity to standard mobile smartphones.
The Bluebird Block-2 mission is part of a global LEO constellation that provides direct-to-mobile connectivity via satellite. The constellation will enable 4G and 5G voice and video calls, texts, streaming and data to anyone, anywhere, at any time.
With a phase range of 223m, it is the largest commercial communications satellite ever launched into low Earth orbit, ISRO said.
The Bluebird-6 satellite holds the distinction of being the heaviest satellite launched into space by an Indian rocket to date. The LVM3 rocket has already successfully completed a total of eight missions.
The current launch project is part of a commercial agreement between ISRO's commercial arm, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), and US-based AST Space Mobile. As a launch service provider, ISRO earns revenue by launching foreign satellites into space.
These commercial launches, operated by NSIL, operate like a taxi service, with the US company as the passenger and paying the Indian government for the launch.
The satellite was earlier scheduled to be launched on December 15. But the launch was postponed. ISRO did not give any specific reason for the delay.