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 states that its low Earth orbit constellation approach aligns with the Missile Defense Agency's shift toward more distributed and survivable architectures for command and control, battle management, and advanced sensing.
AST SpaceMobile's selection under SHIELD reflects U.S. government interest in leveraging commercial low Earth orbit infrastructure as a core element of integrated deterrence and defense.
AST SpaceMobile announced the timing of the BlueBird 7 orbital launch.
Under the SHIELD multi-award construct, AST SpaceMobile is eligible to compete for task orders covering research, development, engineering, prototyping, and operational support for Missile Defense Agency systems.
AST SpaceMobile is building a space-based cellular broadband network designed to connect directly with everyday smartphones while also supporting government users that require resilient communications and sensing solutions in contested environments.
AST SpaceMobile reports that it is about 95 percent vertically integrated, keeping all major manufacturing processes under U.S. control and concentrating its headquarters and primary facilities in Texas.
AST SpaceMobile is developing on-orbit, dual-use satellite technology for both commercial connectivity and defense applications.
AST SpaceMobile is 95% vertically integrated with all major manufacturing processes under U.S. control and is headquartered in Texas.
AST SpaceMobile operates nearly 500,000 square feet of manufacturing and operations facilities.
AST SpaceMobile is scaling its infrastructure to support global cellular connectivity to standard smartphones.
AST SpaceMobile’s low-Earth orbit satellite architecture features the largest commercial phased arrays ever deployed in low Earth orbit.
AST SpaceMobile is positioned to compete for future SHIELD task orders across research, development, engineering, prototyping, and operations of Missile Defense Agency systems that support U.S. national security objectives.
The award to AST SpaceMobile was made as part of a list of companies eligible to compete under the SHIELD program publicly announced by the U.S. Government on January 15, 2026.
AST SpaceMobile successfully deployed the next-generation BlueBird 6 satellite on December 23, 2025.
The Missile Defense Agency awarded an IDIQ contract for the Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) program to AST SpaceMobile.
Abel Avellan is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AST SpaceMobile.
AST SpaceMobile’s technology platform is supported by over 3,800 patent and patent-pending claims.
The SHIELD IDIQ contract establishes AST SpaceMobile as an eligible provider to bid directly on future task orders under the program.
AST SpaceMobile’s selection as a prime contractor reflects growing government interest in resilient, dual-use low-Earth orbit constellations for integrated national defense applications including command and control, battle management, and advanced sensing.
AST & Science, LLC (AST SpaceMobile) submitted formal comments to the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, in response to the Space Modernization Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.