Source: TOI
Context:
In a major boost to Indo-US space collaboration, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is set to launch its heaviest American commercial satellite, BlueBird-6, on December 15, 2025, from the Sriharikota spaceport. The launch vehicle LVM3 (Bahubali) will place the 6.5-tonne satellite into low-Earth orbit (LEO).
Key Highlights
- Satellite Name: BlueBird-6
- Country of Origin: United States
- Operator: AST SpaceMobile (Texas-based)
- Launch Vehicle: LVM3 (Bahubali)
- Orbit: Low-Earth Orbit (LEO)
- Purpose: Commercial communication, direct-to-device mobile broadband
About BlueBird-6
- Block-2 Satellite: Part of AST SpaceMobile’s next-generation series
- Phased Array Antenna: Nearly 2,400 sq ft — 3.5× larger than BlueBird 1-5
- Service Objective: Bridge the digital divide by offering fast mobile broadband in areas lacking terrestrial network coverage
- Launch Vehicle – LVM3 (Bahubali):
- Configuration: Three-stage launch vehicle
- Recent Launches: Carried India’s heaviest CMS-3 satellite (4.4 tonnes) on November 2, 2025
