India’s Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is contracted to launch an important heavyweight satellite (FM1) for AST Space Mobile (AST). The launch was originally said to happen in June, then the date slipped to July. Then to August. But now there’s talk of a further delay. India news sources say that – in essence – the satellite is not yet ready.

The plan was to use India’s powerful LVM3 rocket. The LVM3 craft is capable of lofting a satellite directly into geosynchronous orbit. But the AST satellite is reported to weigh around 6,500 kgs because it carries an extra payload on behalf of the US government.

ISRO’s chairman of ISRO is Dr V Narayanan, who says that the satellite, was supposed to have arrived three months ago, but “developmental issues” had caused a delay. However, he added that he expected the craft to arrive at the India launch site during September.

The confusion is not helped by local comments that even if the satellite arrives in early September, there would be the need for a routine 20-30 day delay for final pre-launch work on the satellite, which could easily mean an October launch for FM1. This also assumes that ISRO keeps the planned rocket on standby for AST and does not allow another client to take precedence over AST.

AST is due to make a quarterly statement on August 11th when more information should emerge.

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Tags: AST SpaceMobile, india, ISRO