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 invested approximately $85,000,000 in the development of BlueWalker 3.
AST SpaceMobile plans to launch the BlueWalker 3 test satellite from Cape Canaveral, Florida during the week of 2022-08-15.
SpaceX aims to launch the prototype for AST SpaceMobile’s cellphone-compatible broadband constellation in the week of 2022-08-15.
AST SpaceMobile planned to begin deploying BlueBird operational satellites in 2023 even if BlueWalker 3 encountered issues.
By the end of 2024, AST SpaceMobile expects to have deployed 110 satellites to provide "substantial global" mobile coverage.
BlueWalker 3 was developed at AST SpaceMobile’s facilities in Texas.
AST SpaceMobile projected $181,000,000 in revenue for 2023 in a December 2020 presentation outlining its SPAC merger plans.
AST SpaceMobile has early agreements with mobile operators worldwide that collectively serve more than 1.8 billion cellular customers.
AST SpaceMobile will start deploying operational BlueBird satellites in 2023 even if there is any complication with the BlueWalker 3 prototype.
AST SpaceMobile became a public company on 2021-04-07 after merging with a special purpose acquisition company in a deal that raised about $462,000,000.
AST SpaceMobile will use BlueWalker 3 to configure ground equipment and software at the gateway level to optimize its planned services.
AST SpaceMobile had about $254,000,000 in cash and cash equivalents as of 2022-03-31.
AST SpaceMobile has a contract with SpaceX to launch the first BlueBird in 2023 and a framework in that agreement for ordering additional launches until the end of 2024.
AST SpaceMobile spent about $8,300,000 on research and development in the three months ending 2022-03-31, an increase of $8,000,000 from the same period in 2021.
AST SpaceMobile expects to test BlueWalker 3 with cellular partners in Japan, Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia.
AST SpaceMobile’s shares closed at $7.01 on 2022-05-16 and traded as high as $15.48 and as low as $4.84 over the prior 52-week period.
AST SpaceMobile spent more than $80,000,000 on the BlueWalker 3 program over several years.
AST SpaceMobile is on track to complete a second manufacturing facility in Texas by the end of 2022 to enable ramping up to producing six satellites per month in 2023.
AST SpaceMobile arranged a deal on 2022-05-06 to raise up to $75,000,000 by issuing and selling shares to B. Riley over the following 24 months at the company’s discretion.
AST SpaceMobile secured an experimental license from the Federal Communications Commission on 2022-05-02 to test BlueWalker 3 services in Hawaii and Texas.