AST SpaceMobile is a publicly traded satellite designer and manufacturer headquartered in Midland, Texas, focused on building a space-based cellular broadband network. Their SpaceMobile network aims to connect directly to standard, unmodified smartphones via their constellation of low Earth orbit satellites, like the BlueBird series. AST SpaceMobile partners with mobile network operators like AT&T, Verizon, and Vodafone to expand cellular coverage and provide connectivity in underserved areas, also securing contracts with the U.S. government for secure and reliable connectivity.
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Under the contract, AST SpaceMobile USA will utilize its BlueBird satellite constellation to demonstrate resilient, low-latency tactical satellite communications directly between government end devices.
The contract with SDA is the first prime contract awarded to AST SpaceMobile USA.
AST SpaceMobile USA is a wholly owned defense subsidiary of AST SpaceMobile.
AST SpaceMobile will use its BlueBird low Earth orbit satellite constellation to demonstrate resilient, low-latency tactical satellite communications delivered directly to government end user devices.
AST SpaceMobile encapsulated its BlueBird 7 (BB7) satellite within the payload fairing of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket on February 19, 2026.
Under the Europa Track 2 effort, AST SpaceMobile will conduct a series of on-orbit demonstrations to show that its satellites can integrate with existing tactical military radios and communications systems.
AST SpaceMobile is developing what it describes as the first global cellular broadband network in space that can connect directly with standard smartphones and other unmodified mobile devices for commercial markets and government users.
The New Glenn seven-meter fairing capacity allows AST SpaceMobile to potentially launch up to eight Block 2 satellites per mission in the future.
AST SpaceMobile's space-based cellular broadband network uses a software-defined bent pipe structure to move high-bandwidth data directly from orbit to standard, unmodified mobile devices on the ground.
The BB7 satellite architecture is 95% vertically integrated, with primary manufacturing completed at AST SpaceMobile’s Midland, Texas production facilities.
BlueBird 7 is the second Block 2 satellite in AST SpaceMobile’s direct-to-device (D2D) constellation.
AST SpaceMobile aims to enable 4G and 5G space-based cellular broadband services to reach nearly 6 billion mobile subscribers worldwide using its patent-based technology platform.
The NG-3 launch is the first mission under a multi-launch agreement between AST SpaceMobile and Blue Origin intended to accelerate deployment of 45 to 60 satellites by the end of 2026.
AST SpaceMobile plans to provide a comprehensive operational update following BB7 deployment during its quarterly business results on March 2, 2026.
AST SpaceMobile’s large-aperture strategy relies on fewer, high-gain assets capable of capturing weak signals from standard handsets at distances of approximately 500 kilometers.
The award marks the first time AST SpaceMobile's wholly owned defense subsidiary, AST SpaceMobile USA, has been selected as a prime contractor to support a United States government space program.
AST SpaceMobile launched its BlueBird Block 2 satellites on December 23, 2025.
AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird Block 2 satellites feature massive phased arrays designed to deliver broadband speeds projected at up to 120 Mbps directly to unmodified handsets.
The Space Development Agency awarded a $30 million prototype agreement to AST SpaceMobile, Inc. for on-orbit tactical satellite communications demonstrations.
Blue Origin posted on X on 21 February 2026 that the payload fairing for New Glenn’s third launch arrived at the Integration Facility at LC-36 with AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird satellite secured inside.