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As AST SpaceMobile tries to compete with SpaceX’s mobile Starlink<\/a> system, the corporate is dealing with a potential delay with a vital prototype satellite tv for pc.\u00a0<\/p>\n The FM1 prototype was supposed<\/a> to launch this month by way of India\u2019s house company, ISRO, marking an vital step in serving to AST SpaceMobile ship satellite tv for pc connectivity to telephones. However final week, the ISRO’s chairman indicated that FM1 will not take off on time, in accordance<\/a> to native media.\u00a0<\/p>\n ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan was recorded<\/a> twice<\/a> saying that the satellite tv for pc launch will happen inside three and even 4 months, presumably pushing the FM1\u2019s deployment to late This fall. In accordance<\/a> to The Hindu<\/em> newspaper, the satellite tv for pc is slated to reach in India in September. \u00a0<\/p>\n Any delay dangers pushing again AST’s timeline to ship satellite tv for pc connectivity to telephones. That\u2019s as a result of the FM1<\/a> is a prototype designed to check the corporate\u2019s second-generation BlueBird satellite tv for pc design, which is about thrice bigger than its present<\/a> 5 BlueBird satellites in orbit.\u00a0<\/p>\n AST SpaceMobile hasn\u2019t responded to questions on when the FM1 will launch or if it is revamping its plans and searching for a brand new launch supplier<\/a>. (In FCC paperwork, AST has additionally talked about the event of an FM2.) However the firm is anticipated to disclose extra particulars in an earnings name<\/a> on Monday, Aug. 11.\u00a0<\/p>\n