AST SpaceMobile encapsulated BlueBird 8-10 satellites in a Falcon 9 fairing for a June 17 launch, marking a milestone toward doubling its direct-to-device network’s peak data speeds. The company stays on track to deploy 45 satellites this year while vying for Japan’s $1 billion J-LEO contract.
AST SpaceMobile completed encapsulation of BlueBird 8, 9 and 10 satellites inside a Falcon 9 fairing ahead of the scheduled June 17 liftoff, marking a critical step in its mission to expand its space-based cellular broadband network.
The three new satellites feature advanced deployable arrays totaling 2,400 square feet and are designed to nearly double peak data speeds compared with the initial Block 1 BlueBird satellites, which delivered peak downloads of around 99 Mbps directly to unmodified smartphones.
AST SpaceMobile is among the leading contenders for Japan’s 150 billion yen direct-to-cell J-LEO project, in partnership with Rakuten Mobile, competing against a KDDI-SpaceX consortium for a contract expected to provide nationwide smartphone connectivity by 2029.
Despite the loss of BlueBird 7 in April, the company remains on track to launch a total of 45 satellites by the end of 2026, reinforcing its long-term growth trajectory and potential valuation uplift.
