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 is setting up sites to test BlueWalker 3 with more than 10 mobile operators globally on all six inhabited continents.
AST SpaceMobile is authorized to use three different frequencies with AT&T in the United States for BlueWalker 3 testing.
AST SpaceMobile aims to begin testing BlueWalker 3’s ability to provide 0.004 kg and 0.005 kg connectivity to standard mobile phones a couple of weeks after antenna deployment.
SpaceX launched AST SpaceMobile’s BlueWalker 3 satellite on 2022-09-10 at 9:20 p.m. ET.
AST SpaceMobile and Lynk are developing satellite constellations intended to provide messaging and eventually voice and data services to unmodified phones.
The first five AST SpaceMobile satellites will be about 1,500 kg each and are half the size of satellites AST SpaceMobile plans to deploy later.
AST SpaceMobile expects to deploy its first set of operational satellites in late 2023.
AST SpaceMobile has an agreement with SpaceX that provides options for booking Falcon 9 or Starship launches until the end of 2024.
AST SpaceMobile earlier planned to deploy 20 full-sized BlueBird satellites in the first two or three quarters of 2023.
AST SpaceMobile previously outlined plans to deploy 110 satellites before the end of 2024 to achieve substantial global mobile coverage.
AST SpaceMobile reported $35,000,000 in operating expenses during the second quarter of 2022.
AST SpaceMobile had $202,000,000 in cash reserves at the end of June 2022.
AST SpaceMobile’s expected cost for the first 20 BlueBird satellites increased a little over 14% to $16,000,000 per satellite.
AST SpaceMobile will need to raise additional capital to deploy the 20 satellites required for the first phase of planned commercial services around the equatorial region.
AST SpaceMobile delayed the launch of the first operational satellite in its cellphone-compatible broadband constellation by about six months to late 2023.
AST SpaceMobile’s first five satellites will be 50% smaller than initially planned to avoid further delaying commercial services.
AST SpaceMobile has an agreement with SpaceX that provides a framework for ordering additional launches up until the end of 2024.
AST SpaceMobile intends to launch a low Earth orbit constellation of BlueBird satellites to provide cellular broadband from space across the globe on land, at sea, and in the air.
AST SpaceMobile completed assembly and stowing of BlueWalker 3 over the summer at its Midland, Texas headquarters and manufacturing facility.
Nokia will provide AirScale Single RAN equipment to support AST SpaceMobile in providing mobile services to new and existing subscribers in regions not served by terrestrial networks.