AST SpaceMobile needs to get its second-generation satellites into orbit speedily. The first of these craft, weighing some 6500 kgs, is much-delayed in its promised launch date. Now, AST insists that the satellite is ready to leave its Midland, Texas, fabrication facility and will be shipped this August. Then there’s the question of the rocket […]
AST SpaceMobile’s FM1 craft is reportedly not going to be launched as speedily as hoped. According to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which is responsible for launching the important broadband satellite, it can happen before the end of [India’s] financial year, which is December 31st. There have been numerous reports that ISRO is not […]
The Indian space programme is expanding and its rocket building and launching capabilities are now matching the best from the rest of the world. In a month or two India’s Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will loft AST SpaceMobile’s heavyweight low Earth orbiting FM1 satellites – and which weighs around 6,500kgs – into orbit. Chairman of […]
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 […]
AST SpaceMobile (AST), which is looking to establish a space-based ‘direct-to-cellular’ service, will use an Indian rocket to launch two of its Block-2 Bluebird satellites. The current information is that the launch could take place in March although this is not yet confirmed. What has been confirmed is that India’s Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will […]
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to lay the foundation stone for construction of the new facility on February 28th which will come up in an area of 2,233 acres in Padukkapathu, near Chennai in Tamul Nadu. India’s government has completed land acquisition for the ambitious project which will be built at a cost of […]
An Indian rocket successfully placed 36 OneWeb satellites into their transfer orbits on March 26th at 9.00am local time. The launch means there are now 618 OneWeb craft in orbit. OneWeb needs only 588 for global coverage. The remainders will act as ‘in orbit spares’ in case replacements are needed. By the year-end, OneWeb will […]
OneWeb’s upcoming launch of 36 satellites is being readied by India’s Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It has moved the launch rocket and its 36-craft cargo to the launch pad. The actual launch, subject to the usual weather conditions, is scheduled for this coming Sunday, March 26. It will be the 18th launch for OneWeb, and […]
India’s Space Research Organisation (ISRO) wants to build a rocket and satellite tracking station on one of the islands of Fiji. In particular, and in reports timed to coincide with ISRO’s International Science Festival in Bhopal, India has completed a technical survey in readiness for an upcoming scientific satellite launch (Adita-L11, which is a solar […]
India’s Space Research Organisation (ISRO) says it is shifting operational activities to its marketing and commercial arm, New Space India (NSIL), while ISRO focuses on Research & Development. ISRO chairman, Sreedhara Somanath, said that ISRO has over the years been focusing more on delivering applications for the government and the public; having created systems, and […]