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AST SpaceMobile Eyes Mid-June Launch for Key Satellites
7 May
Summary
- AST SpaceMobile plans three satellite launches in mid-June.
- SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket will be used for the upcoming launches.
- The company aims to launch 38 satellites by year-end.

AST SpaceMobile is gearing up for a significant launch in mid-June, planning to deploy three 'BlueBirds' into orbit. This crucial mission will utilize SpaceX's reliable Falcon 9 rocket, a departure from their previous attempt with Blue Origin's New Glenn, which resulted in the loss of a satellite last month. The company is in a race against time to establish high-speed satellite internet for phones, aiming to launch 38 next-generation satellites by the end of 2026.
This aggressive deployment schedule is necessary for AST to catch up to competitors like SpaceX's Starlink Mobile, which already offers services to smartphones. AST's second-generation BlueBird satellites are substantially larger and boast more powerful antennas, promising speeds of up to 120Mbps per cell. The company requires 45 to 60 satellites for continuous coverage in key markets, presenting a formidable challenge to launch the remaining satellites within the next seven months.