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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AST SpaceMobile is targeting several high-stakes deployments scheduled for the first quarter of 2026.
The AT&T–Amazon partnership focuses on fixed broadband and backhaul via Amazon’s satellite layer rather than relying solely on AST SpaceMobile.
AT&T remains committed to AST SpaceMobile as a Plan B or specialized cell-tower-in-the-sky solution for direct-to-smartphone connections.
Shares of AST SpaceMobile fell 12% following the AT&T–Amazon announcement.
Investors are concerned about AST SpaceMobile’s high cash burn and the performance gap between its handful of BlueBird satellites and the thousands being deployed by SpaceX and Amazon.
AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 is the first Block 2 satellite designed to deliver 24/7 high-speed cellular broadband directly to unmodified smartphones.
Blue Origin's New Glenn-3 (NG-3) mission will deploy AST SpaceMobile’s first next-generation Block 2 BlueBird satellite.
AST SpaceMobile plans an aggressive multi-launcher campaign throughout 2026 targeting a fleet of 45 to 60 satellites by year-end 2026.
AST SpaceMobile’s Block 2 strategy relies on fewer, extra-large satellites intended to detect standard mobile device signals from about 500 kilometers away.
The third New Glenn flight is scheduled to deploy the BlueBird 7 communications satellite for AST SpaceMobile.
AST SpaceMobile scheduled the BlueBird 7 launch for late February from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Blue Origin’s New Glenn launch vehicle.
Blue Origin’s New Glenn is slated to fly for the third time in late February to deploy the BlueBird 7 communications satellite for AST SpaceMobile.
AST SpaceMobile’s next-generation BlueBird satellites enable peak data rates of up to 120 Mbps for space-based broadband connectivity.
AST SpaceMobile selected Blue Origin’s New Glenn launch vehicle in November 2024 as part of its launch campaign for its cellular broadband network.
AST SpaceMobile is a customer on Blue Origin’s NG-3 mission.
New Glenn-3 (NG-3) will carry AST SpaceMobile’s next-generation Block 2 BlueBird satellite to low Earth orbit.
AST SpaceMobile employs a workforce of nearly 1,800 people.
AST SpaceMobile scheduled the BlueBird 7 launch for late February from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Blue Origin’s New Glenn.
BlueBird 7 is identical to BlueBird 6 and is the second satellite in AST SpaceMobile’s next-generation campaign.
AST SpaceMobile plans a multi-launcher campaign averaging one orbital launch every one to two months during 2026.