Science & TechnologyImportant2025-12-24

ISRO Launches BlueBird-6 Satellite via LVM3-M6

In News

What Happened

On December 24, 2025, ISRO successfully launched the 6,100 kg BlueBird-6 commercial communications satellite from Sriharikota using its LVM3-M6 rocket. The satellite, owned by US-based AST SpaceMobile, was placed into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). It features the largest commercial phased array antenna ever deployed in LEO to provide direct-to-device 4G and 5G mobile broadband.

Why It Matters

This mission highlights ISRO's growing dominance in the global heavy-lift commercial launch market, facilitated by its commercial arm, NSIL. It also sets a new payload record for the LVM3, proving its capability to handle payloads exceeding 6,000 kg for international clients.

Background

History & Context

The Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3), previously known as GSLV Mk III, was developed to achieve heavy-lift capability and self-reliance in launching 4,000 kg class satellites to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Its commercial journey began aggressively with the OneWeb missions in 2022 and 2023, orchestrated by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), which was established in 2019 under the Department of Space to commercialize ISRO's operations. The BlueBird-6 mission represents the next phase of commercial payload scaling for space-based cellular broadband networks.

What Changed

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BEFORE: The LVM3's previous heaviest payload record was the OneWeb India-2 mission in March 2023, which carried approximately 5,805 kg. NOW: The LVM3-M6 mission has set a new record by successfully carrying the 6,100 kg BlueBird-6 satellite.
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BEFORE: Space-based cellular broadband traditionally required specialized, bulky satellite phones to connect to geostationary satellites. NOW: BlueBird-6 utilizes massive phased array antennas in LEO to connect directly to standard, unmodified 4G and 5G smartphones.
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BEFORE: Extremely large commercial phased array antennas were not deployed in LEO due to launch constraints. NOW: The deployment of BlueBird-6 marks the operation of the largest commercial phased array antenna in LEO for civilian mobile networks.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This event connects to the Class 12 Physics NCERT Chapter on 'Communication Systems', specifically the concepts of satellite communication and propagation of electromagnetic waves. Phased array antennas utilize wave interference principles to electronically steer signal beams without physical movement, ensuring seamless connections with mobile devices on Earth.

Practice Questions

Q1

With Reference To

With reference to the Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM3) and the BlueBird-6 mission, consider the following statements: 1. LVM3 is ISRO's heaviest launch vehicle capable of placing 4,000 kg class satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). 2. BlueBird-6 was placed into a Geostationary Orbit (GEO) to provide direct-to-device 4G and 5G mobile broadband. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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