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The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is gearing up for a historic mission this Christmas eve, with its most powerful rocket ever, the LVM3-M6 (Launch Vehicle Mark-III-M6) scheduled to lift off from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota on December 24 at 08:24 AM.
The mission, called LVM3-M6, will carry a Bluebird Block-2 communications satellite for US-based company AST Spacemobile under a commercial contract supported by India’s NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).
The launch cements the LVM3’s growing status as India’s heavy-lift “Bahubali” rocket, so called because of its enormous power and weight.
The LVM3 rocket is ISRO’s most powerful launch vehicle with two massive solid strap-on boosters (S200), a liquid core stage (L110), and a cryogenic upper stage (C25).
According to India Today, the three-stage rocket, which is 43.5 meters long and has a lift-off mass of 640 tonnes, has already launched popular missions including the OneWeb broadband satellite (carrying a total of 72 satellites) and Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3.
During this mission, the 6,100 kg Bluebird Block-2 satellite will be launched by LVM3-M6 into a circular orbit of 520 km with an inclination of 53 degrees. This satellite is the first satellite of its size and complexity to be launched into LEO and is the heaviest payload ever launched by LVM3 from India.
One of the largest commercial communications satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), Bluebird Block-2 aims to provide space-based fast cellular broadband directly to regular mobile phones around the world.
Beyond its economic value, LVM3 is important to India’s human spaceflight effort. The same launch vehicle is expected to carry upcoming test missions under Gaganyaan, including scheduled flights to validate human-mission systems before astronauts are sent into orbit.
Also read: ISRO to launch US-based AST Spacemobile’s communications satellite on December 24
With eight consecutive successful missions, ISRO’s LVM3 maintains a stellar record. This mission highlights India’s growing involvement in the global satellite launch industry, as it is the third dedicated commercial flight using LVM3.
where to look
You can watch the launch live from the observation galleries of Sriharikota in the morning on 24th December by registering through official channels. Additionally, ISRO’s website and social media accounts will offer live telecast of the mission.
The launch can be watched live on ISRO’s official website or YouTube channel.
(edited by : Sarabasti Biswas,