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 has agreements with nearly 60 mobile network operators worldwide covering a combined subscriber base of more than 3 billion.
AST SpaceMobile’s previous mission launched BlueBird 8, BlueBird 9, and BlueBird 10 in June 2026, and all three satellites are operating in orbit.
AST SpaceMobile has three BlueBird satellites scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in the first half of August on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 11, BlueBird 12, and BlueBird 13 are the next batch in its direct-to-smartphone broadband constellation.
AST SpaceMobile’s initial Block 1 BlueBird satellites recorded peak download speeds of 98.9 Mbps directly to unmodified smartphones.
AST SpaceMobile’s strategic partners include AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone, Rakuten, Google, Bell, Telus, stc Group, and American Tower.
AST SpaceMobile’s satellite production and assembly is continuing through BlueBird 37.
The August launch will bring AST SpaceMobile’s on-orbit BlueBird count to 13 satellites.
AST SpaceMobile says BlueBird 11, BlueBird 12, and BlueBird 13 are expected to deliver nearly double the peak data speeds of its initial Block 1 BlueBird satellites.
Rakuten Mobile plans to purchase multiple AST SpaceMobile satellites to establish the network.
Rakuten Mobile plans to launch a Japanese joint venture with AST SpaceMobile for a satellite direct-to-device network.
AST SpaceMobile expects BlueBird satellites 11, 12, and 13 to ship from Texas to Florida about three weeks before launch.
AST SpaceMobile plans to launch BlueBird satellites 11, 12, and 13 in the first half of August on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
SpaceX, AST SpaceMobile, and Globalstar have the long-term confidence to launch massive, expensive satellite constellations under the FCC's current policy approach.
The FCC’s current spectrum policy favors facilities-based direct-to-device operators such as SpaceX, AST SpaceMobile, and Globalstar.
AST SpaceMobile expects the next three satellites to launch on another Falcon 9 as early as July.
AST SpaceMobile expects the three satellites to be fully unfolded over the coming weeks.
AST SpaceMobile is building the world’s first space-based cellular broadband network designed to connect directly with ordinary, unmodified smartphones.
BlueBirds 8, 9, and 10 increased AST SpaceMobile’s larger next-generation satellites in orbit to four times their previous number.
AST SpaceMobile has an intellectual property portfolio of over 3,900 patents and patent-pending claims.