The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) LVM3 rocket will launch a communication satellite for the US-based company SpaceMobile In March, which aims to offer space-based cellular broadband services for smartphones. "The commercial LVM3-M5 mission, set for March, will deploy BlueBird Block-2 satellites under a contract with the US-basedT SpaceMobile," an official statement said.

The announcement followed a review of the Department of Space's operations conducted by Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh with key officials, including the departing Isro chairman S Somanath, his successor V Narayanan, and Pawan Kumar Goenka, Chairman of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe).

Narayanan, set to take over from Somanath on January 14, presented a strategic plan for enhancing Isro's international presence during the meeting. The joint Nasa-Isro satellite NISAR and a navigation satellite NVS-02 are scheduled for launch in February on two separate GSLV rocket missions, it mentioned.

With bold plans ahead, such as the inaugural "uncrewed" orbital mission under "Gaganyaan," India's space exploration initiatives are ready for significant milestones. Isro has scheduled important missions that demonstrate technological capabilities and global cooperation, including the launch of Gaganyaan's unmanned orbital test mission.

"This critical endeavour will pave the way for India's human spaceflight program, aiming to validate systems for crew safety and recovery," the statement said.

Furthermore, two GSLV missions, a commercial launch of LVM3, and the eagerly awaited Isro-Nasa partnership on the NISAR satellite are scheduled for the upcoming months.