Daily News Analysis ‘ISRO to Launch U.S. BlueBird Satellite & Progress on Gaganyaan’ : 2 August

About BlueBird Satellite Launch:

• BlueBird satellite is developed by AST SpaceMobile, a U.S.-based firm.
• It weighs around 6,500 kg and is set to be launched from Sriharikota by ISRO’s LVM3 (formerly GSLV Mk III).
• The satellite is expected to arrive in India by September 2025.
• This is a major Indo-U.S. space collaboration following the successful launch of NISAR.

LVM3 Launch Vehicle:

• ISRO’s heaviest rocket, used for high-payload missions.
• Capable of launching heavy satellites into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) and beyond.
• Human-rated for future crewed missions under Gaganyaan.

Why in News?

•  ISRO will launch the U.S.-based AST SpaceMobile’s Block 2 BlueBird communication satellite aboard LVM3 in the coming months.