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 pursuing the S-band through its European joint venture with Vodafone, Satellite Connect Europe.
New Glenn’s latest flight in April failed because an upper-stage issue deployed AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 satellite too low to sustain operations.
AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBirds 8 and 10 arrived at Cape Canaveral.
AST SpaceMobile plans to use Falcon 9 for its next three BlueBird satellites in mid-June.
The FCC required AST SpaceMobile to launch 124 satellites by August 2030.
AST SpaceMobile’s original 2026 target of 45 to 60 satellites is now uncertain.
AST SpaceMobile plans to launch three replacement BlueBird satellites in June 2026.
The FCC granted AST SpaceMobile commercial authorization on April 22, 2026 to operate a 248-satellite direct-to-device constellation providing cellular broadband nationwide through coordination with Verizon, AT&T, and FirstNet.
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket placed AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 satellite into a lower-than-planned orbit on April 19, 2026, causing its de-orbit and destruction.
AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 8 and BlueBird 10 have left its Texas facility and are being transported to Florida.
AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 9 is expected to follow BlueBird 8 and BlueBird 10 within a few days.
AST SpaceMobile’s launch of the BlueBird batch is scheduled no earlier than mid-June on Falcon 9.
Half of AST SpaceMobile’s authorized constellation, or 124 satellites, must be in orbit by August 2030.
AST SpaceMobile received FCC commercial authorization to deploy a constellation of 248 satellites providing supplemental coverage from space.
AST SpaceMobile’s authorized constellation will use low-band 700 and 800 megahertz spectrum in coordination with Verizon, AT&T, and FirstNet.
AST SpaceMobile scheduled satellite completion for launch 12 in January 2027.
The FCC’s Space Bureau previously approved AST SpaceMobile’s 248-satellite direct-to-device system.
AST SpaceMobile scheduled satellite completion for launch 10 in November 2026.
AST SpaceMobile scheduled satellite completion for launch 7 in August 2026.
AST SpaceMobile scheduled satellite completion for launch 2 in December 2025 for BB7.