AST SpaceMobile Unfolds 2,400 sq ft Satellite, Aims for 45–60 Satellites by 2026
AST SpaceMobile unfolded BlueBird 6—a 2,400 sq ft phased-array satellite with 10x data capacity—and plans BlueBird 7 late February to begin its 45–60 satellite deployment by end 2026. It holds 3,800+ patents and partners with AT&T and Verizon but faces rising capital costs from material-price volatility and competition from Starlink.
1. BlueBird 6 Deployment
AST SpaceMobile completed unfolding BlueBird 6, featuring a 2,400 sq ft phased-array antenna in low Earth orbit that boosts data throughput tenfold compared with its predecessors.
2. Future Launch Plans
The company plans to launch the next satellite, BlueBird 7, in late February and aims to deploy a total of 45–60 satellites by the end of 2026 to build its global cellular broadband network.
3. Partnerships and Patents
AST SpaceMobile holds over 3,800 patents and patent-pending claims and has partnered with carriers including AT&T and Verizon to offer direct 4G/5G connectivity to standard smartphones without additional hardware.
4. Financial and Competitive Challenges
Rising material costs driven by inflation and supply volatility are increasing capital expenditures, while competition from SpaceX’s Starlink and Globalstar intensifies pressure on margins and market share.