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AST SpaceMobile Sets Dec. 15 Launch for BlueBird 6, Its First Next-Gen Direct-to-Phone Satellite

The larger, higher-capacity spacecraft anchors an accelerated plan targeting five launches by late March with a 2026 fleet goal of up to 60 satellites.

Overview

  • BlueBird 6 is scheduled to lift off from India’s Satish Dhawan Space Center and is licensed in the U.S. for space-based cellular broadband.
  • The spacecraft features a nearly 2,400-square-foot phased array, about 3.5 times larger than earlier BlueBirds, delivering roughly 10 times the data capacity.
  • AST SpaceMobile outlines five orbital launches by the end of Q1 2026 with a one-to-two-month cadence thereafter toward continuous service coverage.
  • Production in Midland, Texas is ramping, with hardware for 40 satellites slated for completion by early 2026.
  • Third-quarter revenue reached $14.7 million and partner commitments exceed $1 billion, while shares rose after the announcement and the company cautioned timing could shift due to weather or readiness.