AST SpaceMobile Shifts to SpaceX for Mid-June Satellite Launch Following BlueBird 7 Loss Following the recent loss of the BlueBird 7 satellite, AST SpaceMobile has announced plans to launch its next three BlueBird spacecraft aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, currently targeted for mid-June 2026. The decision marks a strategic shift in launch providers, driven by the need to maintain deployment momentum for its space-based cellular broadband network despite the setback from the Blue Origin New Glenn NG-3 mission on April 19. That mission, which left its payload in an unusable off-nominal orbit, has prompted AST SpaceMobile to seek alternative launch capabilities to fulfill its commitments. The June mission is positioned as a critical recovery effort following the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) grounding of Blue Origin’s New Glenn vehicle. The April 19 failure, attributed to an upper-stage engine thrust deficiency, resulted in the BlueBird 7 satellite failing to reach its intended trajectory. The satellite eventually burned up during reentry, disrupting AST SpaceMobile’s progress toward its goal of providing continuous commercial service. By securing a near-term slot with SpaceX, the company aims to deliver “Supplemental Coverage from Space” (SCS) to its global partners. With over $1.2 billion in contracted revenue commitments, AST SpaceMobile faces pressure to achieve its target of 45 to 60 operational satellites by the end of 2026. The three satellites scheduled for the June launch are “Block 2” units, representing a significant technological advancement for the company. These satellites feature the largest commercial phased-array antennas ever deployed in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), with each unit equipped with an aperture of approximately 2,400 square feet (223 square meters).#spacex #ast_spacemobile #blue_origin #bluebird_7 #new_glenn
