AST SpaceMobile secures launch agreements for global space-based broadband network

Reuters Events SMR and Advanced Reactor 2025

AST SpaceMobile secures launch agreements for global space-based broadband network
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 15, 2024

AST SpaceMobile has revealed new launch services agreements that will provide the orbital capacity needed to establish continuous space-based cellular broadband coverage across critical global markets. This initiative will initially focus on areas including the United States, Europe, Japan, the U.S. Government, and other targeted strategic regions. The launch campaign is set for 2025 and 2026 from Cape Canaveral Florida Space Force Station, using current launch vehicles and Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket to deploy up to 60 Block 2 satellites into low Earth orbit.

Scott Wisniewski, President of AST SpaceMobile, stated, "We have now contractually secured orbital launch capacity during 2025 and 2026 to enable continuous cellular broadband service coverage of the AST SpaceMobile network. With these new launch services agreements, our in-house vertically integrated manufacturing capabilities in Texas, our mobile operator partners, and the additional capital raised during 2024, we are now well-positioned to reach our goal of continuous cellular broadband service coverage, enabling our service to hundreds of millions of users around the world and the U.S. Government."

The advanced Block 2 BlueBirds will offer up to ten times the bandwidth capacity compared to the current BlueBird models, expediting the goal of achieving 24/7 broadband coverage. Designed for approximately 100% coverage across the U.S., these satellites will feature over 5,600 coverage cells capable of delivering up to 40 MHz of bandwidth and peak data speeds reaching 120 Mbps, supporting voice, full data, and video communications. Each Block 2 BlueBird will be equipped with communications arrays spanning up to 2,400 square feet, making them the largest commercially deployed in low Earth orbit, surpassing the 700-square-foot arrays of AST SpaceMobile's existing BlueBird 1-5 and BlueWalker 3.

These satellites are designed for compatibility with various launch vehicles, with Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket providing an optimal platform due to its seven-meter fairing, which offers double the payload volume compared to conventional five-meter systems. This allows for the launch of up to eight Block 2 BlueBirds per mission.