New BlueBird Satellites Launch
AST SpaceMobile schedules BlueBirds 11, 12, and 13 orbital launch for early August.
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AST SpaceMobile has announced that three next-generation satellites — BlueBirds 11, 12, and 13 — will launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida in the first half of August 2026, according to Business Wire. The mission follows the successful June 17 stacked launch of BlueBirds 8, 9, and 10 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9, marking a rapid acceleration in the company's deployment schedule.
Each new satellite carries a 2,400-square-foot communications array — roughly the size of a tennis court — designed to beam broadband directly to unmodified smartphones below. AST SpaceMobile President Scott Wisniewski said: "With each successful launch, we move closer to our goal of making space-based cellular broadband accessible wherever people live, work, and travel."
From Five Satellites to a Full Constellation in Months
AST SpaceMobile's commercial deployment has moved fast. The company launched its first five "Block 1" satellites in September 2024. Those earlier satellites had 693-square-foot arrays. The newer "Block 2" BlueBirds — starting with BlueBird 6, launched in December 2025 — feature arrays more than three times larger at 2,400 square feet, according to Markets Financial Content.
The stacked launch approach — sending three satellites at once — marks a key shift. AST's Midland, Texas factory is now targeting production of up to six satellites per month. If the August launch succeeds, the company will have 13 BlueBird satellites in low Earth orbit by mid-2026.
Why the Giant Antenna Size Is the Whole Strategy
AST calls its approach "the power of size." To send a strong enough signal from 300+ miles in orbit to a low-power smartphone chip, you need a massive antenna. Competitors like Starlink's direct-to-cell service use smaller arrays. AST's 2,400-square-foot phased arrays can deliver peak speeds of 120 to 200 Mbps per coverage cell, according to Market Screener.
That speed matters. Starlink's mobile satellite service is widely seen as better suited for texts and voice calls. AST's technology is designed to handle video streaming and full data usage on standard LTE and 5G phones — no special hardware required.
FCC Green Light and Big Carrier Partners Fuel Growth
A major regulatory hurdle cleared in April 2026. The FCC granted full commercial authorization for AST SpaceMobile to operate up to 248 satellites. The approval also covers FirstNet spectrum, the network used by emergency services. Verizon unlocked a $45 million prepayment tied to that FCC milestone, according to research compiled from public filings.
AST has signed agreements with nearly 60 mobile network operators covering 3 billion subscribers worldwide. AT&T, Verizon, and Vodafone are among its key partners. Rather than selling directly to consumers, AST acts as a wholesale "tower in the sky" — carriers pay to use the network, and their customers get coverage in dead zones automatically.
High Ambitions, But Real Risks Remain on the Ground
AST SpaceMobile is not yet profitable. The company posted a net loss of $341.9 million in 2025, and operating expenses hit $164.1 million in just the first quarter of 2026. Its market cap sits near $30 billion despite revenue of only $70.92 million last year. Analysts hold a consensus "Hold" rating with an average price target of $81.47, according to public market data.
The April 2026 failure of BlueBird 7 — which could not hold its operational altitude after launch — showed the risks still present in the program. The timing of the August launch also carries a caveat: AST noted that weather, launch readiness, and other factors outside its control could shift the schedule, according to Business Wire.
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