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’s strategic partners include AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone, Rakuten, Google, Bell, Telus, stc Group, and American Tower.
AST SpaceMobile’s initial Block 1 BlueBird satellites recorded peak download speeds of 98.9 Mbps directly to standard, unmodified smartphones.
BlueBird satellites 8, 9, and 10 are built on AST SpaceMobile’s next-generation stackable satellite architecture.
AST SpaceMobile’s June 17 launch will lift off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, with a launch window opening at 2:39 a.m. EDT and additional opportunities until 4:15 a.m.
AST SpaceMobile expects to host an in-person investor launch event at Cape Canaveral for a future mission carrying BlueBird satellites 11 through 13.
AST SpaceMobile has scheduled a Falcon 9 launch for June 17 to carry BlueBird satellites 8, 9, and 10 to low Earth orbit.
AST SpaceMobile’s service does not require a specialized terminal.
AST SpaceMobile holds service agreements with nearly 60 mobile network operators representing more than 3 billion combined subscribers.
AST SpaceMobile has designed and built approximately 95% of its technology in-house.
AST SpaceMobile’s multi-provider launch strategy is intended to give the company flexibility as it builds global coverage.
AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 8, BlueBird 9, and BlueBird 10 satellites are scheduled to launch on a Falcon 9 no earlier than June 17, 2026.
AT&T and Verizon are among AST SpaceMobile’s contracted mobile network operator customers.
AST SpaceMobile and Eutelsat OneWeb have committed to 2026 subscriber and gateway targets that depend on a third-party merchant RF supply chain.
The Falcon 9 launch window for AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 8, BlueBird 9, and BlueBird 10 satellites is 06:39 to 08:15 UTC.
AST SpaceMobile has more than $1.2 billion in aggregate contracted revenue commitments from nearly sixty mobile network operators.
AST SpaceMobile has committed to fifteen gateways across five continents in 2026.
AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 8, BlueBird 9, and BlueBird 10 satellites have been stacked and are ready for encapsulation.
AST SpaceMobile must place 124 satellites in orbit by August 2030 under its commercial authorization.
The FCC granted AST SpaceMobile commercial authorization in April 2026 to deploy 248 satellites providing Supplemental Coverage from Space using low-band 700 and 800 MHz spectrum in coordination with Verizon, AT&T, and FirstNet.
AST SpaceMobile, Amazon’s LEO system, Telesat’s Lightspeed system, and Viasat’s joint venture with Abu Dhabi’s Space42 are satellite-to-cellular competitors mentioned as part of the shifting communications landscape.