On Thursday, February 19, 2026, AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ: ASTS) confirmed the encapsulation of its BlueBird 7 (BB7) satellite within the payload fairing of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket. The technical handover marks the final major milestone before the mission, designated New Glenn-3 (NG-3), departs from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS). The launch is currently targeted for no earlier than late February 2026.
Technical Specifications for the Block 2 BlueBird
BlueBird 7 is the second Block 2 satellite in the company’s direct-to-device (D2D) constellation. The spacecraft features a phased array antenna spanning approximately 2,400 square feet, making it the largest commercial communications array ever deployed in low Earth orbit (LEO). Powered by the proprietary AST5000 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), the satellite is designed to support 10 GHz of processing bandwidth and deliver peak data speeds of up to 120 Mbps directly to standard, unmodified smartphones.
The seven-meter fairing of the New Glenn vehicle is a strategic asset for the mission, providing twice the payload volume of standard five-meter commercial fairings. This capacity allows AST SpaceMobile to potentially launch up to eight Block 2 satellites per mission in the future, a key factor in achieving the cadence required for continuous global coverage. The BB7 satellite architecture is 95% vertically integrated, with primary manufacturing completed at the company’s Midland, Texas, production facilities.
Scaling the Direct-to-Device Network
The mission follows the successful deployment of the BlueBird 6 array earlier this month. The NG-3 mission will utilize a flight-proven booster, nicknamed “Never Tell Me The Odds,” which previously supported the EscaPADE mission to Mars in late 2025. This launch represents the first of a multi-launch agreement between AST SpaceMobile and Blue Origin intended to accelerate the deployment of 45 to 60 satellites by the end of the year.
As the competition for space-based cellular broadband intensifies, the BB7 launch is positioned as a technical validator for AST SpaceMobile’s large-aperture strategy. While other constellations utilize high volumes of smaller nodes, AST SpaceMobile’s approach relies on fewer, high-gain assets capable of capturing weak signals from standard handsets at distances of approximately 500 kilometers.
Final Preparations for NG-3 Liftoff
The NG-3 mission is currently in final launch preparations at Cape Canaveral. Following the deployment of BB7, AST SpaceMobile expects to provide a comprehensive operational update during its quarterly business results on March 2, 2026. This mission will also serve as a critical validation of Blue Origin’s booster reuse capabilities for heavy-lift commercial payloads.
