More than 400 scientists worked round-the-clock to support Operation Sindoor by using earth observation and communication satellites, ISRO chairperson V Narayanan said on Tuesday. Speaking at the 52nd National Management Convention of the All India Management Association (AIMA), Narayanan stated that the space agency provided satellite data for national security requirements during the mission. He noted that all satellites performed perfectly 24/7 throughout the operation, enabling all mission requirements. The space agency provided satellite data from its spacecraft for national security requirements.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫, 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝-𝐭𝐡𝐞-𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan. Addressing an event in New Delhi, Mr. Narayanan… <a href="https://t.co/vVcePiLEwG">pic.twitter.com/vVcePiLEwG</a>&mdash; All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) <a href="https://twitter.com/airnewsalerts/status/1965312839331229815?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;The role of the space sector in armed conflicts came into sharp focus during Operation Sindoor. The operation witnessed extensive use of drones and loitering munitions and tested air defence systems like the indigenously developed Akash Teer.&nbsp;<h2>‘Gaganyaan project’s 7,700 ground tests completed’</h2>&nbsp;Referring to the Gaganyaan project, which aims for India’s maiden human spaceflight by 2027, Narayanan said ISRO has completed 7,700 ground tests. An additional 2,300 tests are planned before the human spaceflight is carried out.Under Gaganyaan project, ISRO plans to conduct three uncrewed missions, with the first expected in December. The space agency has also secured approvals for two crewed missions.Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tasked ISRO with setting up India’s own space station by 2035 and landing an Indian astronaut on the moon by 2040.&nbsp;WATCH: Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli resigns; 19 killed &amp; over 400 injured<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nepal-protests-nepal-pm-kp-sharma-oli-resigns-19-killed-over-400-injured-1757419633176/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/nepal-protests-nepal-pm-kp-sharma-oli-resigns-19-killed-over-400-injured-1757419633176/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>ISRO tests Gaganyaan parachute</h2>&nbsp;The Indian Space Research Organisation also shared exciting new footage of an important test for the Gaganyaan mission. The video shows a special parachute being launched from a test capsule that is attached to a sled racing down a track at high speed.The parachute, which is about 5.8 metres, is designed to help slow down and stabilise the crew module as it safely re-enters Earth’s atmosphere. This is a key step in ensuring astronauts return safely after their journey to space.

The role of the space sector in armed conflicts came into sharp focus during Operation Sindoor. The operation witnessed extensive use of drones and loitering munitions and tested air defence systems like the indigenously developed Akash Teer.

More than 400 scientists worked round-the-clock to support Operation Sindoor by using earth observation and communication satellites, ISRO chairperson V Narayanan said on Tuesday. Speaking at the 52nd National Management Convention of the All India Management Association (AIMA), Narayanan stated that the space agency provided satellite data for national security requirements during the mission. He noted that all satellites performed perfectly 24/7 throughout the operation, enabling all mission requirements. The space agency provided satellite data from its spacecraft for national security requirements.

The role of the space sector in armed conflicts came into sharp focus during Operation Sindoor. The operation witnessed extensive use of drones and loitering munitions and tested air defence systems like the indigenously developed Akash Teer.

Over 400 ISRO scientists worked non-stop to support Operation Sindoor: ISRO chief

The high-profile commercial launch of an American communication satellite aboard an Indian Government rocket is facing serious delays. As per the original timeline announced by the Indian Government, the BlueBird Block-2 satellite belonging to American private firm AST SpaceMobile was to be launched by Indian space agency ISRO's largest rocket LVM3(also known as GSLV Mk3) by March 2025. However, ISRO Chief Dr. V. Narayanan has now revealed that the launch is now pushed to January-March 2026, indicating a one year delay.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-zelensky-putin-meeting-russia-ukraine-war-updates-today-1755878351773">'Like oil and vinegar': Trump not sure if he can make Zelensky, Putin meet - Was his heavy diplomacy for vain?</a>AST SpaceMobile is a Texas-based telecom company that aims to build and launch a fleet of satellites that can directly provide internet connectivity to mobile phones. As per reports, the firm presently has a fleet of five first-generation (Block-1) satellites in orbit. The firm plans to launch a fleet of 45-60 second-generation (Block-2)satellites to offer services in major global regions, it is said.As a launch services provider(rocket builder and operator), the Indian Space agency launches foreign-origin satellites to space on a commercial basis. These commercial space missions(like a taxi ferrying a passenger) are handled by ISRO's commercial arm NSIL, which earns revenue for the Indian government.LVM3 is India's biggest and heaviest rocket and has been successful in all its seven missions to date. Of these seven, LVM3 has done two commercial launches for European satellite communcations firm Eutelsat OneWeb. Estimates say that NSIL earned around $114mn(Rs.1000cr) from each of these two commercial launches. As per the ISRO launch calendar, AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird Block-2 has been slated as the third commercial mission by LVM3 and the ninth overall launch by LVM3.As per ISRO's launch caledar, AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird is the only foreign customer satellite slated to be flying on an ISRO rocket, either in all of 2025 or in the first three months of 2026.<h2>Repeated delays in BlueBird mission</h2>As per the January 2025 announcement by the Indian Government, the American satellite was to be launched by India's LVM3-M5 rocket in March 2025. In April, the Indian Government said that the BlueBird launch would take place aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket in July 2025.In July 2025, following the successful launch of the Indo-US NISAR satellite, ISRO Chief Dr. V. Narayanan said that ISRO would be launching a CMS-02 satellite aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket. This meant that the rocket allocated for BlueBird is being reallocated to a different satellite known as CMS-02. Reasons for this reallocation were not revealed.This week, in the run up to the National Space Day celebrations, ISRO Chief Dr. V. Narayanan shared an ISRO launch schedule which said that the BlueBird mission would be launched by the LVM3-M6 rocket between January and March 2026.Unconfirmed reports say that the US firm has been facing delays at their end, which has been delaying their planned Block-2 satellites launches from India and abroad.<h2>What does AST SpaceMobile have to say about the delays?</h2>In light of the repeated postponements, in July 2025, WION E-mailed AST Spacemobile to seek their comments on the delays, the reasons behind the delays, when the satellite would reach the Indian spaceport etc. It has been more than a month since the queries were sent, but there has been no response from the American satellite communictions firm. The report will be updated if and when the firm responds.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">ISRO/NSIL commercial launch of American pvt communication satellite AST Spacemobile Bluebird Block-2 was originally slated for March 2025, it got pushed to July 2025, and now to Jan-March 2026 Based on timelines shared by Indian Govt, there&#39;s 10-12months delay.. <a href="https://t.co/LvtLhDuyoY">pic.twitter.com/LvtLhDuyoY</a>&mdash; Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp/status/1958914285977182406?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>ISRO's two costly failures in 2025</h2>As of August 2025, ISRO has failed two of three missions executed from home soil. Both failed missions were satellites meant for national security and strategic purposes.In January 2025, ISRO launched the GSLV-F15 rocket carrying the NVS-02 navigation satellite, which was meant to serve as India's homegrown version of GPS. After being successfully placed it its initial orbit, the satellite could not be moved to its final orbit, due its onboard engine failing to fire.In May 2025, ISRO launched the PSLV-C61 rocket carrying an advanced Earth-imaging satellite EOS-09. In a rare occurrence, ISRO's workhorse PSLV rocket failed mid-flight, which led to the loss of rocket and satellite, making it the second setback for ISRO in a row. Both setbacks means that ISRO would have to reallocate its resources to re-do these missions, which involves building the respective rockets and satellites once again.As a taxpayer-funded space agency, ISRO has had the culture of publicly releasing its Failure Analysis Committee(FAC) reports following mission failures. When the strategic satellite GISAT-1 failed in the year 2021, ISRO publicly released an FAC report. However, for both failures this year, the FAC reports have not been made public. Space industry veterans say that the FAC reports not being publicly shared affects the image of the space agency, as several foreign entities entrust ISRO to launch their satellites and expect a high level of accountability and transparency from the launching agency.<h2>ISRO's sluggish rate of launches and related concerns</h2>In the eight months of 2025, ISRO has done only three launches from home soil. The only successful outcome in these three was the NASA-ISRO NISAR satellite that was launched in July.Last year, the Indian Government announced that there would be a total of 30 space launches from India in 15 months(between January 2024 and March 2025). In the said 15 months, only 7 launches were executed. This means that only 23% of the launch target is being met.While India has executed three space launches in the eight months of 2025, US has executed 120 launches, China has executed 49, and Russia has executed 11. While India's launch activity cannot directly be compared with that of global space powers, it must be noted that India's launch pace is sluggish by even its own standards.Simply put, global commercial space launch industry is quite like the airline industry- the ones that operate more flights get more bookings from customers, the ones that barely/rarely fly don't get bookings easily. Let's say that a satellite firm is looking for a rocket to ferry their craft to space, they would primarily look at rocket availability, reliability, and the most affordable one. Therefore, only those who launch rockets frequently can attract customers.A satellite-maker is like a business traveller- one must travel within the deadline to meet their objective and cannot wait endlessly for a ride. Keeping a satellite waiting for any reason would cause significant financial and operational capability losses to the satellite-maker.

The launch of AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird Block-2 satellite by India’s ISRO is delayed to early 2026, a year later than planned. The US firm aims to expand mobile internet via satellites.

The high-profile commercial launch of an American communication satellite aboard an Indian Government rocket is facing serious delays. As per the original timeline announced by the Indian Government, the BlueBird Block-2 satellite belonging to American private firm AST SpaceMobile was to be launched by Indian space agency ISRO's largest rocket LVM3(also known as GSLV Mk3) by March 2025. However, ISRO Chief Dr. V. Narayanan has now revealed that the launch is now pushed to January-March 2026, indicating a one year delay. Also read: 'Like oil and vinegar': Trump not sure if he can make Zelensky, Putin meet - Was his heavy diplomacy for vain? AST SpaceMobile is a Texas-based telecom company that aims to build and launch a fleet of satellites that can directly provide internet connectivity to mobile phones. As per reports, the firm presently has a fleet of five first-generation (Block-1) satellites in orbit. The firm plans to launch a fleet of 45-60 second-generation (Block-2)satellites to offer services in major global regions, it is said. As a launch services provider(rocket builder and operator), the Indian Space agency launches foreign-origin satellites to space on a commercial basis. These commercial space missions(like a taxi ferrying a passenger) are handled by ISRO's commercial arm NSIL, which earns revenue for the Indian government. LVM3 is India's biggest and heaviest rocket and has been successful in all its seven missions to date. Of these seven, LVM3 has done two commercial launches for European satellite communcations firm Eutelsat OneWeb. Estimates say that NSIL earned around $114mn(Rs.1000cr) from each of these two commercial launches. As per the ISRO launch calendar, AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird Block-2 has been slated as the third commercial mission by LVM3 and the ninth overall launch by LVM3. As per ISRO's launch caledar, AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird is the only foreign customer satellite slated to be flying on an ISRO rocket, either in all of 2025 or in the first three months of 2026. Repeated delays in BlueBird mission As per the January 2025 announcement by the Indian Government, the American satellite was to be launched by India's LVM3-M5 rocket in March 2025. In April, the Indian Government said that the BlueBird launch would take place aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket in July 2025. In July 2025, following the successful launch of the Indo-US NISAR satellite, ISRO Chief Dr. V. Narayanan said that ISRO would be launching a CMS-02 satellite aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket. This meant that the rocket allocated for BlueBird is being reallocated to a different satellite known as CMS-02. Reasons for this reallocation were not revealed. This week, in the run up to the National Space Day celebrations, ISRO Chief Dr. V. Narayanan shared an ISRO launch schedule which said that the BlueBird mission would be launched by the LVM3-M6 rocket between January and March 2026. Unconfirmed reports say that the US firm has been facing delays at their end, which has been delaying their planned Block-2 satellites launches from India and abroad. What does AST SpaceMobile have to say about the delays? In light of the repeated postponements, in July 2025, WION E-mailed AST Spacemobile to seek their comments on the delays, the reasons behind the delays, when the satellite would reach the Indian spaceport etc. It has been more than a month since the queries were sent, but there has been no response from the American satellite communictions firm. The report will be updated if and when the firm responds.

The launch of AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird Block-2 satellite by India’s ISRO is delayed to early 2026, a year later than planned. The US firm aims to expand mobile internet via satellites.

ISRO's launch of America's Bluebird satellite delayed by a year?

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Over 400 ISRO scientists worked non-stop to support Operation Sindoor: ISRO chief

ISRO's launch of America's Bluebird satellite delayed by a year?