India’s space agency reportedly pushes back the launch of AST SpaceMobile’s second-generation BlueBird satellite another three or four months.
As AST SpaceMobile tries to compete with SpaceX’s cellular Starlink system, the company is facing a possible delay with a crucial prototype satellite.
The FM1 prototype was supposed to launch this month via India’s space agency, ISRO, marking an important step in helping AST SpaceMobile deliver satellite connectivity to phones. But last week, the ISRO’s chairman indicated that FM1 won’t take off on time, according to local media.
airman V. Narayanan was recorded twice saying that the satellite launch will occur within three or even four months, presumably pushing the FM1’s deployment to late Q4.
