r/ISRO • u/Ohsin • Jan 26 '25

LVM3 M5: AST SpaceMobile expects its next spacecraft to leave facilities in Texas as early as March for a launch from India.

https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobile-raises-400-million-to-accelerate-direct-to-smartphone-plans/
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2

u/TKO1515 Feb 20 '25

A news story in DT this week quoted the chairman as saying this mission will be 5,100kg

Did not share launch date of this or NISAR

https://x.com/nanasaiin/status/1892057336078008437?s=46&t=W8LaCKl55QRTw6lLk-BDig

1

u/Ohsin Feb 20 '25

That is too high, some mistake perhaps.

1

u/TKO1515 Feb 20 '25

Is it? I thought the vehicle could take 8,000kg to LEO?

This satellite will be going to 500-750km

1

u/Ohsin Feb 20 '25

Not about vehicle capacity. I thought the satellite is supposed to be around 1,500 kg ??

2

u/TKO1515 Feb 20 '25

The 5 block 1 BlueBirds launched last fall on SpaceX F9 were estimated to weight 1500kg each with an array about 700 sq ft but this one is the first Block 2 (BB6) which is 3x the size or an array of about 2400 sq ft.

So 5100kg with some launch adapter hardware makes sense. But that also pushes the limits of the supposed 4 that can fit on F9 and 8 on New Glenn as I thought it would be closer to 3500kg.

2

u/Ohsin Feb 20 '25

Oh thanks, very interesting.

9

u/TKO1515 Jan 26 '25

Yes, the last update from November was it would leave Texas in March or April but not actual timeline for launch. So will be curious to see if there are any updates on that timeline with ISRO saying March launch . At latest there should be info shared at earnings on March 3rd.

“We expect to send the first next-generation Block 2 BB satellite to the launch provider in March or April 2025, which will commence our launch campaign of up to an additional approximately 60 Block 2 BB satellites in 2025 through 2026“

As they gear up & start launching, if this 1st ISRO launch is successful I wonder if they book more for the equatorial plane. Should need ~18 Satellites in that plane.

5

u/winpickles4life Jan 27 '25

I know they will book more through ISRO to help smooth the regulatory approval in India.

5

u/[deleted] Jan 26 '25

is it going to be the year when the cadence finally picks up??

4 GSLV launches

atleast 1 LVM 3 launch + maybe orders for 2-3 more from onewebb

atleast 1 each of HLVM 3, PSLV N1 and SSLV launches

2-3 PSLV C series launches

cherry on top if Skyroot flies the Vikram 1 this year.(all stages except Kalam 1200 have been fired atleast once).