Indian rocket launches AST SpaceMobile’s next-gen BlueBird 6
satellite
An Indian LVM3 rocket launched AST SpaceMobile’s next-generation
direct-to-device BlueBird satellite Dec. 23, kicking off a
rollout of dozens of spacecraft built around the largest
commercial communications antenna ever deployed in low Earth
orbit (LEO).
The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) largest rocket
lifted off at 10:25 p.m. Eastern from the country’s Satish Dhawan
Space Center, releasing the BlueBird 6 satellite about 15 minutes
later.
At about 6,100 kilograms, Narayanan said BlueBird 6 is also “the
heaviest satellite ever lifted from Indian soil using an Indian
launcher.”
Abel Avellan, AST’s founder, chairman and CEO, said the company
had taken control of the satellite and confirmed nominal
telemetry.
With a phased array spanning roughly 223 square meters when
unfolded, BlueBird 6 is about 3.5 times larger than BlueBirds
1-5, which launched together on a SpaceX Falcon 9 last year.
Each satellite is designed to connect directly with standard
mobile phones, initially using spectrum from cellular carriers to
extend coverage beyond the reach of their terrestrial towers.
Busy year ahead
AST said it is on track to launch 45-60 satellites by the end of
2026 to enable full text, voice and 5G data services across the
United States and other initial markets.
Quelle:
https://spacenews.com/indian-rocket-launches-ast-spacemobiles-next-gen-bluebird-6-satellite/
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