BlueWalker 3

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CommunicationsLEOCOSPAR 2022-111ALLaunched 9/11/2022

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Mission & Launch

Launch Mission: Starlink-62
Launch Vehicle: Falcon 9 FT5
Launch Date: 9/11/2022

Orbit & Mass

Orbit Class: LEO
Altitude: 510 km
Inclination: 53.2 deg
Dry Mass: 1,500 kg
Total Mass: 1,500 kg

Payload Classification

Mission Type

Organizations

Operator: AST SpaceMobile
Manufacturer: AST SpaceMobile

Constellation

Name: AST SpaceMobile BlueBird
Active Satellites: 6
Planned Satellites: 248

Registry

COSPAR ID: 2022-111AL

Mentions

108

All verified mentions of this spacecraft in source documents.

Each Block 1 BlueBird matches the size of AST SpaceMobile’s BlueWalker-3 prototype launched two years ago.

CapabilityValue 3.2Oct 25, 2024AST SpaceMobile unfolds debut production direct-to-smartphone satellites

BlueWalker-3 is roughly the same size as a Block 1 BlueBird and has a solar array spanning 64 square meters, the largest commercial antenna deployed to low Earth orbit.

Capability

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BlueWalker-3 achieved download rates of about 14 megabits per second during tests in September on AT&T spectrum.

CapabilityValue 4.0May 29, 2024Verizon plots $100 million direct-to-smartphone satellite investment

BlueWalker-3 was launched under a government contract two years before AST SpaceMobile recorded its first commercial revenue from the constellation.

RelationshipsFinancialValue 4.0May 16, 2024Government revenue and AT&T direct-to-smartphone agreement lift AST SpaceMobile

AST SpaceMobile achieved 3 Bits/Hertz using its BlueWalker 3 demonstration asset.

CapabilityValue 4.0Apr 1, 2024AST SpaceMobile Commences Tape-Out Phase for its ASIC Chip in Collaboration with TSMC

AST SpaceMobile launched the BlueWalker 3 technology demonstration satellite in late 2022.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Mar 23, 2024Astronomers and megaconstellations learn to get along

BlueWalker 3 deployed a large phased array antenna and at times reached brightness near magnitude 0.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Mar 23, 2024Astronomers and megaconstellations learn to get along

Tests with ordinary phones in September using BlueWalker-3 achieved download rates of around 14 megabits per second.

CapabilityValue 4.3Mar 22, 2024AT&T underlines support for realizing direct-to-smartphone satellite service

AST SpaceMobile’s first five commercial BlueBird satellites, known as Block 1 and similar in size to BlueWalker-3, are slated to launch together on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in the coming months.

PlanGeneralValue 4.0Mar 22, 2024AT&T underlines support for realizing direct-to-smartphone satellite service

AST SpaceMobile won a major contract from the U.S. government on 2024-02-08 to be supported by BlueWalker 3 and its next five commercial satellites.

RelationshipsPlanValue 4.5Feb 20, 2024Forrester’s Digest: Intelsat + FAST channels — Iridium — AST SpaceMobile — SpaceX

BlueWalker 3 measures 693 square feet in size and is designed to generate power from space and deliver cellular broadband directly to smartphones.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Feb 20, 2024Forrester’s Digest: Intelsat + FAST channels — Iridium — AST SpaceMobile — SpaceX

AST SpaceMobile operates the BlueWalker 3 satellite, which the company describes as the largest-ever commercial communications array in low Earth orbit.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.0Jan 22, 2024AT&T, Google, and Vodafone Make Strategic Investments in AST SpaceMobile

BlueWalker-3 achieved download rates of around 14 megabits per second during tests in September 2024.

CapabilityValue 4.0Jan 19, 2024Google and AT&T join $155 million AST SpaceMobile investment

BlueWalker-3 is a 1,500-kilogram prototype developed by AST SpaceMobile.

CapabilityValue 4.0Jan 19, 2024Google and AT&T join $155 million AST SpaceMobile investment

AST SpaceMobile achieved download rates of around 14 megabits per second during 0.005 kg tests with a smartphone using BlueWalker 3 in September 2022.

CapabilityValue 4.0Nov 15, 2023AST SpaceMobile adjusts launch plan for potential direct-to-device customer

AST SpaceMobile builds its satellites in-house, including the BlueWalker 3 prototype launched in September 2022 with a 64-square-meter antenna.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.2Nov 15, 2023AST SpaceMobile adjusts launch plan for potential direct-to-device customer

BlueWalker 3 deployed a 64-square-meter antenna, which is the largest antenna deployed commercially in low Earth orbit.

CapabilityValue 4.0Nov 15, 2023AST SpaceMobile adjusts launch plan for potential direct-to-device customer

BlueWalker 3 was launched by AST SpaceMobile into low Earth orbit in September 2022.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Oct 3, 2023Astronomers raise interference concerns from AST SpaceMobile satellite

BlueWalker 3 reached magnitude 0.4 again in April 2023 after a period of dimming.

CapabilityGeneralValue 2.7Oct 3, 2023Astronomers raise interference concerns from AST SpaceMobile satellite

BlueWalker 3 deployed a 64-square-meter antenna in November 2022 to support direct-to-device communications.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.0Oct 3, 2023Astronomers raise interference concerns from AST SpaceMobile satellite