ISRO is set to achieve a significant milestone by launching an American communications satellite designed to enable direct voice communication via smartphones from space. This will mark the first instance of a US company deploying a large communication satellite from India, as ISRO has previously only launched smaller satellites for American firms.
India’s Science Minister, Jitendra Singh, confirmed the mission, stating, “In February or March, we will be launching a US satellite for mobile communication, enabling voice communication on mobile phones. It will be an interesting mission.” This development has the potential to reduce reliance on mobile towers, offering enhanced coverage in remote areas such as islands, deserts, and other isolated regions. It will also support global roaming, emergency communication during natural disasters, and uninterrupted connectivity.
The satellite is reportedly being developed by AST SpaceMobile, a Texas-based company, and will likely be launched from Sriharikota using ISRO’s Launch Vehicle Mark-3, also known as the Bahubali rocket. The satellite, weighing approximately 6,000 kg, will feature antennas measuring 64 square meters—roughly half the size of a football field—and will be deployed in low Earth orbit.
AST SpaceMobile CEO Abel Avellan described the company’s groundbreaking technology, which connects satellites directly to regular smartphones without the need for specialized satellite phones or terminals. Avellan emphasized their mission to provide affordable 5G broadband service globally, enabling users to make voice calls and access broadband internet using everyday mobile devices.
This satellite-based connectivity solution will compete directly with existing providers like OneWeb and Starlink, which use expansive satellite networks to deliver broadband services. By partnering with ISRO, AST SpaceMobile aims to advance affordable and accessible satellite communication for billions worldwide.
