India, Jan. 2 -- The Indian Research Space Organisation (ISRO) is reportedly planning to launch an American communications satellite this year that will allow phone calls using direct connectivity from space.

This satellite will enable users to make calls directly from space using their smartphones.

"In February or March we will be launching a US satellite for mobile communication, this satellite will enable voice communication on mobile phones. It will be an interesting mission," an NDTV report quoted as saying Dr Jitendra Singh, the minister of science and technology.

This will also mark the first time that an American company's large-scale communications satellite will be launched from an Indian rocket.

ISRO officials, cited in the...