The Bluebird satellites have undergone rigorous testing to ensure they meet the demanding requirements of operations in space.
AST SpaceMobile, the company building the first space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by everyday smartphones for both commercial and government use, has announced the successful completion of its first five commercial satellites, known as Bluebirds. Each satellite features communications arrays measuring 693 sqft and is scheduled for shipment to Cape Canaveral in the first week of August, with a seven-day launch window planned for September.
Speaking about the development, Abel Avellan, Chairman and CEO of AST SpaceMobile, said: “This is a momentous occasion for AST SpaceMobile. These first five satellites are built on the success of our in-orbit BlueWalker 3 satellite and will provide US nationwide non-continuous service with over 5,600 cells in premium low-band spectrum, with a planned 10-fold increase in processing bandwidth. Completing the manufacturing, assembly, and environmental testing for these satellites represents a significant milestone in our mission to bridge the digital divide and deliver connectivity to those who need it most. We are eager to see these pioneering satellites take flight and begin laying the foundation for our global cellular broadband network.”
The Bluebird satellites have undergone rigorous testing to meet the stringent requirements of space operations. Final preparations for their shipment to Cape Canaveral are set for early August, with ongoing monitoring and final testing until launch vehicle integration. As of July 18th, the satellites have a contracted seven-day launch window in September, with the exact date to be confirmed closer to the launch window and shared with the public.
These dates align with previous guidance for satellite delivery in July or August, followed by an orbital launch shortly thereafter. The exact timing of delivery and launch is subject to various factors, including final testing, regulatory approvals, confirmation of the launch date by the provider, logistics, weather conditions, and other uncontrollable factors.
In the first half of 2024, AST SpaceMobile secured additional strategic investments from AT&T, Verizon, Google and Vodafone, along with a new contract award with the US Government through a prime contractor. The company has agreements with over 45 mobile network operators worldwide, collectively serving over 2.8bn subscribers, including Vodafone Group, AT&T, Verizon, Rakuten Mobile, Bell Canada, Orange, Telefonica, TIM, Saudi Telecom Company, Zain KSA, Etisalat, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, Telkomsel, Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, Millicom, Smartfren, Telecom Argentina, MTN, Telstra, Africell, Liberty Latin America, among others. Additionally, AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone, Google, Rakuten, American Tower and Bell Canada are existing investors in AST SpaceMobile.
