AST SpaceMobile Successfully Completes Unfolding of First Five Commercial Satellites in Low Earth Orbit
AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ: ASTS) has successfully completed the unfolding of its first five commercial satellites, BlueBirds 1-5, six weeks after launch. These satellites represent the largest commercial communications arrays ever deployed in low Earth orbit. The company aims to provide 100% nationwide US coverage through 5,600 cells on low-band spectrum via partnerships with major operators like AT&T, Verizon, and Vodafone. The technology features large phased array antennas supported by over 3,450 patent claims, designed to connect directly to standard smartphones at broadband speeds without specialized equipment. The next generation of satellites is planned to offer ten times the current capacity.
AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ: ASTS) ha completato con successo il dispiegamento dei suoi primi cinque satelliti commerciali, BlueBirds 1-5, sei settimane dopo il lancio. Questi satelliti rappresentano i più grandi array di comunicazione commerciale mai schierati in orbita terrestre bassa. L'azienda mira a fornire una copertura nazionale del 100% negli Stati Uniti attraverso 5.600 celle su spettro a bassa frequenza, grazie a partnership con i principali operatori come AT&T, Verizon e Vodafone. La tecnologia utilizza grandi antenne a matrice fase, supportate da oltre 3.450 brevetti, progettate per connettersi direttamente a smartphone standard a velocità broadband senza la necessità di attrezzature specializzate. La prossima generazione di satelliti è prevista per offrire dieci volte la capacità attuale.
AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ: ASTS) ha completado con éxito el despliegue de sus primeros cinco satélites comerciales, BlueBirds 1-5, seis semanas después del lanzamiento. Estos satélites representan las mayores matrices de comunicaciones comerciales jamás desplegadas en órbita terrestre baja. La compañía busca proporcionar una cobertura nacional del 100% en EE. UU. a través de 5.600 células en espectro de baja frecuencia mediante asociaciones con operadores principales como AT&T, Verizon y Vodafone. La tecnología cuenta con grandes antenas de matriz en fase respaldadas por más de 3.450 reclamaciones de patentes, diseñadas para conectarse directamente a smartphones estándar a velocidades de banda ancha sin necesidad de equipos especializados. La próxima generación de satélites planea ofrecer diez veces la capacidad actual.
AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ: ASTS)는 발사 후 여섯 주 만에 첫 번째 상업용 위성인 BlueBirds 1-5의 펼침을 성공적으로 완료했습니다. 이 위성들은 저지구 궤도에서 배치된 가장 큰 상업 통신 배열을 나타냅니다. 회사는 AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone과 같은 주요 운영자와의 파트너십을 통해 저주파 스펙트럼에서 5,600개의 셀을 통해 미국 전역에 100% 커버리지를 제공하는 것을 목표로 하고 있습니다. 이 기술은 3,450개 이상의 특허에 의해 지원되는 대형 위상 배열 안테나를 특징으로 하며, 특수 장비 없이 표준 스마트폰과 직접 연결되어 브로드밴드 속도로 작동하도록 설계되었습니다. 다음 세대의 위성은 현재 용량의 열 배를 제공할 계획입니다.
AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ: ASTS) a réussi à déployer ses cinq premiers satellites commerciaux, BlueBirds 1-5, six semaines après leur lancement. Ces satellites représentent les plus grands réseaux de communication commerciale jamais déployés en orbite terrestre basse. La société vise à fournir une couverture nationale à 100 % aux États-Unis grâce à 5 600 cellules sur un spectre basse fréquence en partenariat avec des opérateurs majeurs tels qu'AT&T, Verizon et Vodafone. La technologie comprend de grandes antennes à réseau phasé soutenues par plus de 3 450 revendications de brevets, conçues pour se connecter directement à des smartphones standard à des vitesses haut débit sans équipement spécialisé. La prochaine génération de satellites devrait offrir dix fois la capacité actuelle.
AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ: ASTS) hat erfolgreich die Entfaltung seiner ersten fünf kommerziellen Satelliten, BlueBirds 1-5, sechs Wochen nach dem Start abgeschlossen. Diese Satelliten stellen die größten kommerziellen Kommunikationsarrays dar, die jemals in einer niedrigen Erdumlaufbahn eingesetzt wurden. Das Unternehmen zielt darauf ab, eine flächendeckende Abdeckung in den USA durch 5.600 Zellen im Niedrigband-Spektrum über Partnerschaften mit großen Anbietern wie AT&T, Verizon und Vodafone bereitzustellen. Die Technologie umfasst große Phased-Array-Antennen, die durch über 3.450 Patentansprüche unterstützt werden und darauf ausgelegt sind, direkt mit Standard-Smartphones bei Breitbandgeschwindigkeiten ohne spezielles Equipment zu verbinden. Die nächste Satellitengeneration ist geplant, um die zehnfache Kapazität der aktuellen anzu bieten.
- Successfully deployed first five commercial satellites ahead of schedule
- Strategic partnerships with major operators (AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone)
- Large intellectual property portfolio with 3,450+ patent claims
- Next-gen satellites planned with 10x capacity increase
- Technology eliminates need for specialized equipment
- Commercial operations yet to begin
- Significant infrastructure deployment still required for nationwide coverage
Insights
The successful unfolding of five BlueBird satellites represents a critical technical milestone for AST SpaceMobile's space-based cellular network. The 5,600-cell coverage network utilizing premium low-band spectrum positions ASTS uniquely in the satellite communications market. The technology's direct-to-smartphone capability, without requiring specialized equipment, offers a significant competitive advantage over traditional satellite communications providers.
The accelerated 6-week deployment timeline and partnerships with major carriers like AT&T, Verizon and Vodafone demonstrate strong execution capabilities. The planned next-generation satellites with 10x capacity improvement show a clear technology roadmap. With 3,450+ patent claims, the company has built substantial intellectual property protection around its large phased array technology, creating significant barriers to entry for competitors.
This milestone significantly de-risks ASTS's commercial deployment timeline and validates their technical capabilities. The dual-use potential for both commercial and government applications expands the total addressable market substantially. The successful deployment ahead of schedule suggests potential revenue generation could begin earlier than market expectations.
Strategic partnerships with tier-1 mobile operators provide built-in distribution channels and validate the technology's commercial viability. The focus on nationwide US coverage addresses a $100B+ market opportunity. The company's first-mover advantage in direct-to-smartphone satellite communications, combined with extensive patent protection, positions it favorably for capturing market share in both commercial and government sectors.
Key post-launch activity completed in preparation for commercial and government services
AST SpaceMobile BlueBird 1-5 unfolded, US coverage with 5600+ cells (Graphic: Business Wire)
With this significant post-launch technical activity now complete, ahead of schedule at 6 weeks after the launch of the satellites, the BlueBirds are now preparing for commercial and US government operations.
“The unfolding of the first five commercial satellites is a significant milestone for the company. These five satellites are the largest commercial communications arrays ever launched in low Earth orbit,” commented Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman and CEO of AST SpaceMobile. “It is a significant achievement to commission these satellites, and we are now accelerating our path to commercial activity.”
“The deployment of our first five BlueBird commercial satellites marks just the beginning of our journey,” continued Mr. Avellan. “As we prepare for commercial services, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation. Our team is already hard at work building the next generation of satellites, which will offer ten times the capacity of our current BlueBirds, further transforming mobile connectivity and delivering even greater benefits to our customers and partners worldwide.”
AST SpaceMobile will target
AST SpaceMobile’s technology features large, phased array antennas supported by over 3,450 patent and patent-pending claims. This innovative design aims to extend cellular coverage globally, eliminating dead zones and delivering space-based cellular broadband connectivity to underserved regions. These advanced phased arrays, the largest ever deployed commercially in low Earth orbit, connect directly to standard smartphones at broadband speeds. This eliminates the need for specialized equipment, enabling seamless use with existing mobile phones while enhancing and complementing mobile operator networks.
AST SpaceMobile's technology also offers significant advantages for government applications, with its dual-use capability supporting both communications and non-communications use cases. The company’s innovative approach positions it to deliver advanced space-based solutions for a range of strategic needs, providing scalable, secure, and reliable connectivity to support various government missions.
About AST SpaceMobile
AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio, and designed for both commercial and government applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected. For more information, follow AST SpaceMobile on YouTube, X (Formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and Facebook. Watch this video for an overview of the SpaceMobile mission.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains “forward-looking statements” that are not historical facts, and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results of AST SpaceMobile to differ materially from those expected and projected. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “potential,” “projects,” “predicts,” “continue,” or “should,” or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology.
These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside AST SpaceMobile’s control and are difficult to predict.
Factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (i) expectations regarding AST SpaceMobile’s strategies and future financial performance, including AST’s future business plans or objectives, expected functionality of the SpaceMobile Service, anticipated timing of the launch of the Block 2 Bluebird satellites, anticipated demand and acceptance of mobile satellite services, prospective performance and commercial opportunities and competitors, the timing of obtaining regulatory approvals, ability to finance its research and development activities, commercial partnership acquisition and retention, products and services, pricing, marketing plans, operating expenses, market trends, revenues, liquidity, cash flows and uses of cash, capital expenditures, and AST SpaceMobile’s ability to invest in growth initiatives; (ii) the negotiation of definitive agreements with mobile network operators relating to the SpaceMobile Service that would supersede preliminary agreements and memoranda of understanding and the ability to enter into commercial agreements with other parties or government entities; (iii) the ability of AST SpaceMobile to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its key employees and AST SpaceMobile’s responses to actions of its competitors and its ability to effectively compete; (iv) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (v) the possibility that AST SpaceMobile may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (vi) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against AST SpaceMobile; and (vii) other risks and uncertainties indicated in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including those in the Risk Factors section of AST SpaceMobile’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024.
AST SpaceMobile cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. AST SpaceMobile cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. For information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors in AST SpaceMobile’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024. AST SpaceMobile’s securities filings can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, AST SpaceMobile disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241025345390/en/
Investor Contact:
Scott Wisniewski
investors@ast-science.com
Media Contact:
Allison
Eva Murphy Ryan
917-547-7289
AstSpaceMobile@allisonpr.com
Source: AST SpaceMobile, Inc.
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