AST SpaceMobile is planning to use Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket to launch some of the satellites for its space-based cellular broadband network in 2025 and 2026. New Glenn has been under development for over a decade and its first launch is set to take place this year at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. AST SpaceMobile is one of several satellite companies that have secured deals for New Glenn launches in advance of the rocket’s first mission. The company’s founder, chairman, and CEO, Abel Avellan, stated that New Glenn’s performance and capacity will help deploy more Block 2 BlueBird satellites in orbit to provide continuous cellular broadband service coverage globally.
Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp expressed support for AST SpaceMobile’s deployment of their next-generation BlueBird satellites, acknowledging the potential impact on global connectivity and lives. The BlueBird network is designed to work directly with smartphones, allowing seamless switching between terrestrial cell towers and satellite signals based on location and coverage needs. AST SpaceMobile has strategic investors such as AT&T, Verizon, Google, and Vodafone, as well as agreements with more than 45 mobile network operators worldwide. The Block 2 BlueBird satellites have communications arrays that cover up to 2,400 square feet when unfolded, making them the largest commercial satellites ever deployed in low Earth orbit.
AST SpaceMobile plans to deploy up to 60 satellites in the 2025-2026 timeframe using New Glenn, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, and India’s GSLV rocket. Each Blue Origin launch could potentially send up to eight Block 2 BlueBirds to low Earth orbit due to New Glenn’s super-sized fairing. Scott Wisniewski, the company’s president, stated that they have secured orbital launch capacity to enable continuous cellular broadband service coverage and are on track to reach their goal of providing service to millions of users globally. The company faces competition in the low-Earth-orbit satellite telecom market from SpaceX’s Starlink network, Eutelsat’s OneWeb network, and Amazon’s upcoming Project Kuiper network, all of which have secured rocket launches for their respective satellite deployments.
With New Glenn’s support, AST SpaceMobile aims to expand its global reach and provide seamless cellular broadband service through the deployment of Block 2 BlueBird satellites. The company’s partnerships with major mobile network operators and strategic investors are key to achieving its goal of serving hundreds of millions of users worldwide. Despite facing competition from other satellite networks, AST SpaceMobile is confident in its ability to provide continuous connectivity and meet the growing demand for global broadband services. The deployment of the BlueBird network is expected to have a significant impact on worldwide connectivity and improve the lives of many individuals through improved access to cellular broadband services.
New Glenn’s super-sized fairing and New Glenn’s orbital-class rocket capabilities position AST SpaceMobile to deploy the Block 2 BlueBird network successfully, providing high-quality cellular broadband service coverage to users globally. The strategic partnerships and agreements in place with top mobile network operators and investors showcase AST SpaceMobile’s commitment to expanding its reach and serving a large user base. With the support of New Glenn and other rocket launch providers, AST SpaceMobile is well-positioned to achieve its goal of transforming the satellite telecom market and enhancing global connectivity through the deployment of innovative and ambitious satellite technology.
