AST SpaceMobile Plans August Launch of Three BlueBird Satellites and Rakuten JV
ASTS•AST SpaceMobile has scheduled the launch of BlueBird 11, 12 and 13 satellites for early August, aiming to double peak data speeds over its initial Block 1 fleet. The company will form a joint venture with Rakuten in Japan to manage operations and offer direct-to-smartphone connectivity, enhancing international expansion.
1. BlueBird Launch Timeline
AST SpaceMobile has targeted a mid-August launch window for its BlueBird 11, 12 and 13 satellites, to be deployed from Cape Canaveral aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. This timeline follows last week’s successful deployment of BlueBird 8, 9 and 10 and aims to expand the company’s space-based broadband footprint.
2. Enhanced Data Speeds
The upcoming BlueBird satellites are engineered to deliver nearly double the peak download speeds—projected to exceed 190 Mbps—compared to the initial Block 1 constellation, which recently achieved 98.9 Mbps in tests. This performance upgrade is designed to strengthen AST SpaceMobile’s competitive positioning in low-Earth-orbit cellular broadband.
3. Rakuten Joint Venture
AST SpaceMobile will partner with Rakuten via a newly formed joint venture in Japan to manage satellite operations and provide direct-to-smartphone connectivity services. The JV structure will enable Rakuten to compete with domestic carriers offering similar satellite-based connectivity, though financial terms remain undisclosed.
4. CEO-Linked Share Sale
A regulatory filing revealed that AA Gables 2, a vehicle linked to CEO Abel Avellan, intends to sell 2.5 million Class A shares, valued at approximately $183 million. This proposed sale introduces potential selling pressure that investors will monitor alongside the company’s growth milestones.
