During the pre-market session on June 16 Eastern Time, $AST SpaceMobile (ASTS.US)$ Announcement of the successful launch and orbital deployment of its BlueBirds 8, 9, and 10 satellites.
The following is the original announcement:
At 2:39 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, June 17 (Beijing time), the BlueBirds 8, 9, and 10 satellite mission was successfully launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This launch marks another critical milestone in AST SpaceMobile’s network deployment, advancing the realization of an always-on, space-based cellular broadband service directly accessible by standard smartphones.
BlueBirds 8, 9, and 10 constitute the largest commercial communications array ever deployed in low Earth orbit, with each satellite featuring an antenna array spanning approximately 2,400 square feet. Equipped with these exceptionally large antenna arrays and supported by high-power in-orbit capabilities, the satellites establish stable, direct communication links with standard smartphones—enabling precise coverage, reduced signal interference, and increased communication capacity to deliver a seamless cellular broadband user experience. The peak data transmission rate of these next-generation satellites is nearly double that of the company’s first-generation BlueBirds Block 1 satellites, which previously achieved a peak download speed of 98.9 Mbps on ordinary smartphones, supporting space-based voice calls, broadband data transmission, and video applications.
Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of AST SpaceMobile, stated: “The successful launch of BlueBirds 8, 9, and 10 continues to bring to life a vision once deemed impossible—to provide global, ubiquitous access to space-based cellular broadband for every person and every location on Earth. Our team has developed an entirely new space-based cellular broadband technology system that seamlessly integrates with the smartphones people use every day. This fundamentally reshapes global communications. We pioneered this new market and are relentlessly advancing our network deployment and technological iteration to achieve the widespread adoption of global space-based cellular broadband.”
Avellan added: “This inaugural multi-satellite stacked launch is merely the beginning. BlueBirds 11, 12, and 13 are nearing transport readiness and preparing for their next launch mission; meanwhile, the next-generation BlueBirds satellites (up to BlueBirds 37) are already in full-scale production and assembly. Our current priority is efficient execution: steadily increasing launch cadence, scaling mass production, and fully preparing for commercial service rollout.”
Each satellite launch brings the company closer to its core objective: leveraging a flexible spectrum strategy—combining partner-held and owned spectrum—to support mainstream 4G and 5G devices and deliver an integrated space-based cellular broadband service that deeply interoperates with terrestrial mobile networks.
All BlueBirds-series satellites are assembled, integrated, and tested at the company’s facility in Midland, Texas, fully embodying AST SpaceMobile’s commitment to advancing U.S.-based technological innovation and smart manufacturing. The company currently operates over 500,000 square feet of production and operational facilities globally, employs more than 2,250 people, and holds or has filed over 3,900 patents covering its core technology portfolio.
As its satellite constellation continues to expand, the company is steadily progressing toward the activation of its initial services, planning to collaborate with leading mobile network operators—including AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone, Rakuten Mobile, Bell Canada, TELUS, and Saudi Telecom Company—as well as U.S. government agencies—to deliver continuous, wide-area coverage across key markets including the United States, Canada, Europe, Saudi Arabia, and Japan.
To date, AST SpaceMobile has partnered with nearly 60 mobile network operators worldwide, collectively serving over 3 billion subscribers. The company also maintains deep strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone, Rakuten, Google, Bell Canada, TELUS, Saudi Telecom Company, and American Tower Corporation.