AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (“AST SpaceMobile”) (NASDAQ: ASTS) has announced that the firm’s first five commercial satellites, called BlueBirds, have arrived in Cape Canaveral, Florida, ahead of the planned orbital launch during a 7 day launch window this September.”
The BlueBird satellites feature the largest-ever commercial communications arrays to be deployed in LEO, at a remarkable 693 square feet, a technological leap forward in AST SpaceMobile’s ability to deliver seamless cellular broadband connectivity to billions of mobile users worldwide.
Building on the success of its BlueWalker 3 satellite, AST SpaceMobile’s first five commercial satellites will have a tenfold increase in processing capacity. This advancement sets the stage for delivering global space-based cellular broadband directly to everyday smartphones, starting with non-continuous coverage across the continental United States using over 5,600 cells on premium low-band spectrum.
These first five commercial satellites were built in AST SpaceMobile state-of-the-art 185,000 square feet facilities in Midland, TX, specifically designed for satellite production. This advanced facility, equipped with cutting-edge technology, is a testament to AST SpaceMobile’s commitment to innovation and operational excellence.
During 2024, AST SpaceMobile has secured additional strategic investment from AT&T, Verizon, Google and Vodafone, as well as a new contract award with the United States Government through a prime contractor. The company has agreements with more than 45 mobile network operators globally, which have more than 2.8 billion existing subscribers total, including Vodafone Group, AT&T, Verizon, Rakuten Mobile, Bell Canada, Orange, Telefonica, TIM, Saudi Telecom Company, Zain KSA, Etisalat, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, Telkomsel, Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, Millicom, Smartfren, Telecom Argentina, MTN, Telstra, Africell, Liberty Latin America and others. AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone, Google, Rakuten, American Tower, and Bell Canada are also existing investors in AST SpaceMobile.
“These satellites represent years of relentless innovation,” said Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman and CEO of AST SpaceMobile. “We are excited to take yet another step towards bridging the digital divide on a global scale with space-base cellular broadband.”
