India is set to take a major step in space cooperation with the United States as ISRO plans to launch the 6.5 tonne BlueBird 6 satellite from Sriharikota on December 15. The satellite will be placed in orbit by the LVM3 rocket, also known as ISRO’s heavy lift launcher.
BlueBird 6 is a next generation communication satellite developed by a Texas based company that runs a space based cellular broadband network. The company said, “BlueBird 6, a US licensed satellite, is scheduled to launch on Dec 15. It is the first of our next generation satellites. When launched, it will feature the largest commercial phased array in low earth orbit at nearly 2400 sqft. This represents 3.5 times increase in size over BlueBirds 1 to 5 and supports ten times the data capacity.”
The satellite is part of a Block 2 series designed to expand global mobile broadband access. The company plans additional launches through 2026 to offer direct to device connectivity in regions with limited or no terrestrial coverage. Each BlueBird unit is built to handle up to 10000 MHz of bandwidth and works with telecom carriers using licensed spectrum.
BlueBird 6 arrived in India on October 19 and was transported by road to Sriharikota for integration with LVM3 and pre launch checks. ISRO’s commercial arm is overseeing the liftoff. The LVM3 rocket recently placed the 4.4 tonne CMS 3 satellite into orbit on November 2 and can carry payloads up to 8000 kg to low earth orbit and 4000 kg to geosynchronous transfer orbit.
The same vehicle, in its human rated version, will be used to send three Indian astronauts to space under the Gaganyaan mission planned for 2027.
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