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.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
AST SpaceMobile plans to launch 45–60 satellites by the end of 2026.
AST SpaceMobile’s milestone with BlueBird 6 is supported by more than 3,800 patent and patent-pending claims.
AST SpaceMobile plans to launch BlueBird 7 aboard Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket no earlier than late February 2026.
BlueBird 6 is the first of AST SpaceMobile’s larger production satellites to reach full operational configuration in 2026.
The successful unfolding of BlueBird 6 provides technical validation for AST SpaceMobile’s 95% vertically integrated manufacturing process.
AST SpaceMobile’s manufacturing capacity goal is to build six satellites per month.
AST SpaceMobile is building a constellation intended to provide intermittent nationwide service in the United States with support from AT&T and Verizon.
AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 6 carries a commercial communications array antenna nearly 2,400 square feet in size.
BlueBird 6 uses AST SpaceMobile’s next-generation Block 2 architecture for the company’s direct-to-device cellular broadband network.
AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 6 antenna is three times larger than the company’s prior BlueBird 1 through 5 satellites.
AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 6 antenna is the largest commercial communications array antenna deployed in Low-Earth Orbit.
AST SpaceMobile currently operates 500,000 square feet of manufacturing space in Texas to support its satellite production.
Abel Avellan is Founder, Chairman, and CEO of AST SpaceMobile.
AST SpaceMobile has a year-end goal of placing 45 to 60 satellites in orbit to transition from intermittent to continuous cellular broadband service.
AST SpaceMobile plans to launch 45 to 60 BlueBird satellites with launches every one or two months on average.
AST SpaceMobile aims to enable continuous cellular broadband service across the United States, Europe, and Japan by late 2026 if it reaches its 45-to-60-satellite goal.
AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 6 satellite’s massive array fully deployed in Low-Earth Orbit.
The New Glenn mission carrying BlueBird 7 is expected to carry multiple satellites to accelerate AST SpaceMobile’s deployment rate.
AST SpaceMobile’s Block 2 BlueBird satellites represent a significant leap in capacity over the original BlueBird 1–5 satellites.
Shares of AST SpaceMobile climbed as much as 6.9% in premarket trading on Wednesday, Feb. 11.