ISRO to launch communication satellite of US-based AST SpaceMobile on Dec 24
Bengaluru (PTI): ISRO's LVM3 rocket will launch a communication satellite of a US-based firm AST SpaceMobile on December 24.
"The launch of LVM3-M6 is scheduled on 24 December 2025 at 08:54 hrs IST from the Second Launch Pad, SDSC SHAR (Satish Dhawan Space Centre), Sriharikota," ISRO posted on "X' on Friday.
According to official sources, LVM3-M6 is a dedicated commercial launch of "BlueBird Block-2" satellite of AST SpaceMobile Inc., USA, through a commercial agreement with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).
AST SpaceMobile on its website said that the next-generation BlueBird satellites are designed to deliver 24/7 high-speed cellular broadband directly to everyday smartphones worldwide.
These advanced satellites feature nearly 2,400 square feet arrays, which will make them the largest commercial phased arrays ever deployed in low Earth orbit, surpassing the previous record held by our first-generation BlueBirds at 693 square feet.
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French President Macron concludes Mumbai visit
Mumbai (PTI): French President Emmanuel Macron, along with First Lady Brigitte Macron, left Mumbai for New Delhi on Wednesday after concluding his engagements here, including bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
They were seen off at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.
On Tuesday, Macron held discussions with Modi as part of efforts to further strengthen India-France strategic ties.
During the Mumbai visit, the French president and his wife also met some of India's top filmmakers and actors, and had an animated exchange with them about cinema, culture and collaboration.
President Macron is on an official visit to India from February 17 to 19 at the invitation of PM Modi to participate in the AI Impact Summit hosted by India in the national capital Delhi, besides the bilateral summit in Mumbai.
PM Modi will inaugurate the summit on February 19. As many as 20 heads of states, including French President Macron, will be present at the inaugural session, Electronics and IT Secretary S Krishnan said.
