- greensea
- 01 Jan 2025 11:31 PM
- Science
India is gearing up to launch a massive American communications satellite that will enable phone calls using direct connectivity from space. This innovative approach to satellite telephony is a first for India, which has previously only launched small satellites made by American entities.
The satellite, operated by AST SpaceMobile, a Texas-based company, will allow users to make voice calls using their smartphones without requiring special handsets or terminals. This technology is designed to connect satellites directly to ordinary cell phones and provide broadband internet through the largest ever commercial phase array in low Earth orbit.
Key Features of the Satellite:
- Antenna Size: 64 square meters, roughly half the size of a football field
- Weight: Nearly 6000 kilograms
- Orbit: Low Earth orbit
- Launch Vehicle: India's Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LVM-3)
The launch is scheduled to take place in February or March, and it will be a significant milestone for India's space program. ISRO experts confirm that this new satellite-based direct-to-mobile connectivity will compete with existing providers like Starlink and OneWeb.
