AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird 6 Satellite Ready for Launch Before Christmas
AST SpaceMobile, a pioneering company in space-based cellular broadband, has announced significant progress in its BlueBird satellite programme. Led by founder and CEO Abel Avellan since 2017, the company is set to launch BlueBird 6 before Christmas, with the satellite already ready for flight.
BlueBird 6, also known as FM1, has completed final assembly and testing. It will be one of the largest commercial satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), featuring a massive 2,400 sq ft phased array for true direct-to-cell broadband. Each BlueBird satellite boasts impressive capabilities, offering up to 10,000 MHz of processing bandwidth and peak speeds of 120 Mbps per cell.
The satellite is set to embark on its journey to India on October 12th, aboard a giant Antonov cargo aircraft. Its launch date, although not yet confirmed, is expected to occur before Christmas. AST SpaceMobile aims to have a constellation of 45-60 satellites in orbit by the end of 2026, with BlueBird 7 already well advanced and scheduled for delivery to SpaceX's launch site in Cape Canaveral this October.
The company's progress has caught the attention of investors. Barclays Bank has recently upgraded AST SpaceMobile's share price target from $37 to $60, advising clients to consider the stock as 'overweight' in their portfolios. AST SpaceMobile is on track to complete 40 phased arrays by early 2026, with BlueBird 46 being the last in the series. The company's success is further bolstered by its 50+ mobile network operator partners, serving nearly 3 billion subscribers.
With BlueBird 6 ready for launch and a robust roadmap for future satellites, AST SpaceMobile continues to make strides in its mission to provide global cellular broadband from space. The company's progress and potential have been recognised by investors, setting the stage for further growth and innovation in the space-based communications sector.
