ISRO to launch 6.5-tonne US BlueBird-6, boosting global broadband

• ISRO to launch the 6.5-tonne US satellite BlueBird-6 on December 15 from Sriharikota.
• BlueBird-6, owned by AST SpaceMobile, is ISRO's heaviest commercial payload to date, highlighting India-US space cooperation.
• The satellite, launched by ISRO's LVM3 rocket, will provide space-based cellular broadband and direct-to-device service globally.
• BlueBird-6 features a 2,400 sqft phased array, 3.5 times larger than previous models, offering 10 times more data capacity.
• The mission is managed by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO's commercial arm.

Why It Matters: ISRO's launch of BlueBird-6 advances global broadband and strengthens US-India space cooperation.