AST SpaceMobile Jumps 7% as June 17 Falcon 9 Launch of Three Satellites Set
ASTS•AST SpaceMobile confirmed a June 17 Falcon 9 launch carrying BlueBird 8, 9 and 10, each with 2,400 sq ft phase-array antennas promising near-double peak data speeds versus Block 1’s 98.9 Mbps. Shares jumped 7% pre-market, reversing a 22% four-session decline as investors anticipate resumed deployment after BlueBird 7 failure.
1. Launch Confirmation and Schedule
AST SpaceMobile confirmed a June 17 launch aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral at 2:39 a.m. EDT, with backup windows through 4:15 a.m. This mission will deploy BlueBird 8, 9 and 10 satellites as part of its global cellular broadband network rollout.
2. Satellite Specifications and Performance
Each of the three satellites features AST’s largest phase-array communications antenna spanning approximately 2,400 square feet and uses advanced carbon-composite structures. The new Block 1 NextGen satellites aim to deliver nearly twice the peak data speeds recorded by the company’s first spacecraft, which achieved 98.9 Mbps.
3. Investor Reaction and Stock Movement
Shares of AST SpaceMobile rose 7% in pre-market trading, recovering from a 22% drop over four sessions. Investors are watching for the upcoming deployments as a key milestone after BlueBird 7 failed to reach its intended orbit during the New Glenn-3 mission.
4. Strategic Partnerships and Context
The company boasts agreements with nearly 60 mobile operators, including AT&T, Verizon and Vodafone, covering a combined subscriber base of over 3 billion. Its vertically integrated manufacturing strategy, with 95% of technology developed internally across 500,000 square feet of facilities, underpins its deployment cadence.
