Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh), Dec 24 (SocialNews.XYZ) India's Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3)-M6, carrying BlueBird 6, took off from Andhra Pradesh's Sriharikota on Wednesday.
BlueBird 6, a next-generation communications satellite from US innovator AST SpaceMobile, was launched with a goal to beam the broadband straight from space to smartphones without any special gear.
The 43.5-meter-tall rocket, which is supported by two S200 solid boosters, lifted off at 8:55 a.m. following a 24-hour countdown from the second launch pad located approximately 135 km east of Chennai.
After approximately 15 minutes of flight, the spacecraft BlueBird Block-2, travelling on the rocket, is expected to separate and attain its designated orbit at an altitude of around 520 km, according to ISRO.
This mission is part of a commercial agreement established between NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), the commercial division of ISRO, and the US-based company AST SpaceMobile (AST and Science, LLC).
ISRO adopted a careful strategy and chose to postpone the launch of the Launch Vehicle Mark 3 M6 flight by 90 seconds. It was initially scheduled to lift off at 8:54 a.m., but the time was then adjusted to 8:55 a.m. and 30 seconds.
Taking to X, ISRO said, "Mission Success The LVM3-M6 mission has successfully placed the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into its intended orbit."
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh took to X and congratulated ISRO for the successful launch.
"Kudos Team ISRO for the successful launch of LVM3-M6 carrying BlueBird Block-2. With the visionary patronage of PM Sh Narendra Modi, ISRO continues to achieve one success after another, reiterating India's growing prowess in Space technology," Singh said in a post on X.
In the meantime, the LVM3-M6 will launch the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into Low Earth Orbit.
This satellite is the largest commercial communications satellite and will also be the heaviest payload ever launched by LVM3 from Indian soil.
Source: IANS
About Gopi
Gopi Adusumilli is a Programmer. He is the editor of SocialNews.XYZ and President of AGK Fire Inc.
He enjoys designing websites, developing mobile applications and publishing news articles on current events from various authenticated news sources.
When it comes to writing he likes to write about current world politics and Indian Movies. His future plans include developing SocialNews.XYZ into a News website that has no bias or judgment towards any.
He can be reached at gopi@socialnews.xyz