An American communications satellite may be launched by the Indian Orbit and Research Organization (ISRO), enabling direct phone connections from orbit.
According to an NDTV story, this will be the first time a US business launches a large communications satellite from India in a rocket. India has only launched small satellites made by American companies thus far.
The report quotes Union Minister of Science and Technology Jitendra Singh said
“In February or March we will be launching a US satellite for mobile communication. This satellite will enable voice communication on mobile phones. It will be an interesting mission,”.
The American business will produce the communications satellite. However, been formally confirmed. Experts predict that the communication satellite will be launched from Sriharikota by Texas-based AST SpaceMobile, the report continued.
According to AST SpaceMobile, voice calls can be placed from any smartphone. Other satellite-based Internet and phone service providers, like Starlink, require their customers to buy separate phones or terminals.
The US media reports stated AST SpaceMobile CEO Abel Avellan stated during an investor call last year that the company will launch one Block 2 of the Bluebird satellite using the Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
The Bluebird satellite will have a 64-square-meter antenna, which is half the size of a football field. It will have a weight of roughly 6,000 kg.
Abel Avellan’s earlier statement stated,
“invented a technology that connects satellites directly to ordinary cell phones and provides broadband internet through the largest ever commercial phase array in low Earth orbit.”
Additionally, he stated that AST SpaceMobile seeks to bridge the global connectivity divide and digitally revolutionize countries by delivering “affordable 5G broadband service from space to billions of people worldwide, direct to everyday smartphones.”
