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 95% vertically integrated with all major manufacturing processes under U.S. control in Texas.
AST SpaceMobile is on track to launch 45–60 satellites by the end of 2026.
AST SpaceMobile’s mission is to enable 4G and 5G space-based cellular broadband for billions of people globally without requiring any changes to mobile devices.
AST SpaceMobile operates nearly 500,000 square feet of manufacturing and operations facilities.
The BlueBird 7 mission represents AST SpaceMobile’s first launch with New Glenn, with the seven-meter fairing enabling up to eight Block 2 BlueBirds per mission.
New Glenn mission NG-3 will carry AST SpaceMobile's Block 2 BlueBird communications satellite to low Earth orbit.
Blue Origin and AST SpaceMobile have multiple launch contracts.
AST SpaceMobile plans to supply telco partners with around 100 satellites in orbit.
AST SpaceMobile's revenue model relies on partnerships with companies like AT&T, Verizon, and Vodafone.
AST SpaceMobile is already publicly quoted and undergoing due diligence for potential growth.
Blue Origin, led by Jeff Bezos, will launch AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird satellite using its New Glenn rocket in late February 2026.
Blue Origin and AST SpaceMobile announced that AST's BlueBird 7 satellite is officially set to launch aboard the NG-3 mission.
AST SpaceMobile operates nearly 500,000 square feet of manufacturing and operations space.
AST SpaceMobile's technology platform is protected by more than 3,800 patents and pending patent claims spanning spacecraft design, large deployable phased arrays, network architecture, and direct-to-device protocols.
AST SpaceMobile employs close to 1,800 people worldwide, most of them in West Texas.
As SHIELD task orders are released and competed, AST SpaceMobile will seek opportunities to apply its commercial satellite capabilities to government-focused demonstrations and operational deployments.
AST SpaceMobile plans to integrate its SHIELD participation with ongoing development of its BlueBird satellite line and SpaceMobile service architecture.
AST SpaceMobile's low-Earth orbit satellite architecture features the largest commercial phased arrays ever deployed in low Earth orbit.
AST SpaceMobile expects missile defense-related research, prototyping, and operations experience to feed back into the performance, resiliency, and security features of its commercial service.
The SHIELD IDIQ contract makes AST SpaceMobile an eligible provider to bid directly on future MDA task orders.