AST SpaceMobile, a competitor to SpaceX's Starlink Mobile, is gearing up for a June launch of three BlueBirds, aiming to recover from a recent satellite deployment failure. The company, which initially planned to use Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket, will now utilize SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket to launch the satellites. This decision comes after a setback where BlueBird 7 satellite was placed in an orbit too low to sustain operations, leading to its descent and burning up in the atmosphere.
The launch of these three BlueBirds is part of AST's strategy to offer high-speed satellite internet for phones by the end of the year. The company has been working on developing second-generation BlueBirds, which are about three times larger than the first-generation models and feature more powerful antennas capable of 120Mbps per cell. The initial second-generation BlueBird, BlueBird 6, was launched in December using a rocket from India's national space agency.
AST's plans for satellite connectivity to smartphones are in contrast to SpaceX's Starlink Mobile, which has already been offering services through T-Mobile and a growing number of carrier partners using over 650 satellites. Starlink Mobile can power messaging, mobile apps, and video calling, although download speeds are estimated at 4Mbps. AST, on the other hand, only has seven satellites in orbit, including the BlueWalker 3 test vehicle, and needs 45 to 60 satellites to offer continuous coverage over the US and other markets.
The company's challenge is to launch 38 satellites in less than seven months, which is a daunting task. However, AST has previously noted that it can achieve non-continuous service in select markets using only 25 BlueBird satellites. The company will likely share more about its launch plans during an earnings call on May 11th.
This launch attempt comes after a setback for AST, as BlueBird 7 was lost in a botched flight last month. The company had initially aimed for four more orbital launches by the end of Q1 2026, but none actually occurred. AST's ability to meet its ambitious timeline and catch up to SpaceX in offering satellite connectivity to smartphones remains to be seen.
In my opinion, AST SpaceMobile's decision to use SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket is a strategic move, given the company's previous successful launches using the same rocket. However, the challenge of launching 38 satellites in a short timeframe is significant, and it remains to be seen if AST can meet its ambitious timeline. The company's efforts to provide satellite connectivity to smartphones could potentially disrupt the market, but it will take time to see if they can deliver on their promises.
