AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 De-Orbits; Satellites 8-10 Ship in 30 Days
AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 failed to reach operational altitude and de-orbited after separating on the New Glenn vehicle, with its cost fully covered by insurance. The company is producing satellites 8-10, each expected to ship in about 30 days, and targets roughly 45 spacecraft in orbit by year-end 2026.
1. BlueBird 7 Launch Anomaly
During the New Glenn 3 mission, BlueBird 7 attained a lower-than-intended orbit due to upper stage performance and, despite successful separation and power-up, could not sustain altitude for thruster use and subsequently de-orbited.
2. Insurance Recovery and Financial Impact
AST SpaceMobile confirmed that the full cost of BlueBird 7 will be recouped through its insurance policy, mitigating direct financial impact on ongoing operations and budget forecasts.
3. Production Pipeline and Future Targets
Production is underway through satellite 32, with satellites 8-10 expected to ship in approximately 30 days; the company maintains an average launch cadence of one to two months and aims to have about 45 satellites in low Earth orbit by the end of 2026.