Expanded Launch Agreements for AST SpaceMobile
AST SpaceMobile, a company striving to enable satellite-based cellular services for unmodified smartphones, announced it has secured its path to low Earth orbit. During its third-quarter earnings call, the company shared that it had finalised new launch agreements with Blue Origin, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and SpaceX. These launches, scheduled for 2025 and 2026, aim to deliver uninterrupted space-based broadband connectivity across key global markets, including the US, Europe, and Japan.
Founder, Chairman, and CEO Abel Avellan highlighted the strategic importance of these partnerships, stating they would help achieve “continuous space-based cellular broadband service coverage.”
Enhanced Capabilities of the Block 2 BlueBird Satellites
The next generation of AST SpaceMobile’s Block 2 BlueBird satellites is poised to offer peak data transmission speeds of up to 120 Mbps. This advancement will support voice, data, and video applications. The Block 2 satellites feature a much larger design—arrays measuring 2,400 square feet, approximately 3.5 times the size of the current Block 1 satellites.
Chief Financial Officer Andrew Johnson detailed the cost adjustments for these enhanced satellites. The estimated expense per satellite, including materials and launch costs, has risen to $19–21 million. However, Johnson noted that the investment ensures sufficient launch capacity and aligns with the company’s timeline for global coverage.
The company launched five Block 1 satellites in September aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. These satellites are undergoing final testing before beginning beta services in collaboration with partners like AT&T and Verizon.
Partnerships with Leading Launch Providers
AST SpaceMobile’s upcoming launches will employ ISRO’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, and SpaceX’s Falcon 9. Blue Origin’s New Glenn, capable of carrying up to eight Block 2 satellites, is designed for heavy payloads and ambitious missions.
Blue Origin’s CEO, Dave Limp, emphasised the importance of these missions in advancing global connectivity. Blue Origin is also preparing for the maiden flight of New Glenn, which includes an integrated rocket static fire test and a potential first mission, ‘DarkSky-1.’
With its innovative satellite designs and strong partnerships, AST SpaceMobile is advancing toward revolutionising smartphone connectivity via space-based cellular networks.
