AST SpaceMobile, which is building a satellite-based system to provide global 5G cellular access, says it will see 20 of its powerful Block 2 satellites launched this year. The first of that number will be launched during August on nan Indian rocket.
It already has five of its earlier Block 1 satellites in orbit which has enabled it to test connections with its partners such as Rakuten in Japan, Vodafone, and Verizon and AT&T in the U.S.
The first two of these Block 2 satellites, including FM1 (the Indian launch), will operate at an altitude of 520km, and the remaining 18 satellites will operate at an altitude of 690 km.
However, there’s a long way to go. AST is planning to have 243 of its satellites in orbit by the end of 2026, and then another 72 — or more — each year thereafter until 2028.
On July 25th, AST announced it had priced a private offering of $500 million of convertible notes, due in 2032, at $120.12 per share.
