MIDLAND, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 9, 2026--
AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (“AST SpaceMobile”) (NASDAQ: ASTS), the company building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by everyday smartphones, designed for both commercial and government applications, today announced that the launch of the BlueBird 8, 9, and 10 satellites is currently scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. Liftoff is targeted for 2:39 a.m. EDT with additional opportunities available until 4:15 a.m.
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The orbital launch mission will carry the next-generation satellites BlueBirds 8, 9, and 10, to support AST SpaceMobile’s growing commercial and government communications and non-communications capabilities, including space-based cellular broadband services: voice, data, and video to standard, unmodified smartphones everywhere.
The BlueBird satellites will leverage AST SpaceMobile’s next-generation stackable satellite architecture, including advanced composite carbon structures designed to support efficient multi-satellite launches and accelerated constellation deployment. Combined with the company’s multi-provider launch strategy, the architecture is designed to provide flexibility in AST SpaceMobile’s deployment of its global constellation.
“Our upcoming launch marks another important milestone as we continue advancing the deployment of our space-based cellular broadband network,” said Scott Wisniewski, President of AST SpaceMobile. “Each BlueBird satellite launched expands our ability to support seamless space-based broadband mobile connectivity directly to everyday smartphones. Our next-generation BlueBird satellites, the largest phase-arrays ever deployed in low Earth orbit, together with our expanding manufacturing capabilities, position AST SpaceMobile to continue scaling toward continuous global space-based cellular broadband coverage supported by a diversified launch strategy.”
These next generation BlueBird satellites are expected to further expand AST SpaceMobile's direct-to-device broadband constellation while delivering nearly double the peak data speeds of the company's initial Block 1 BlueBird satellites, which recently achieved peak download speeds of 98.9 Mbps directly to standard smartphones. The mission represents another step toward AST SpaceMobile's goal of bringing mobile broadband connectivity to the billions of people worldwide who remain unconnected or under-connected.
Similar to the in-orbit BlueBird 6 satellite, BlueBirds 8, 9 and 10 feature the largest commercial communications arrays ever deployed in low Earth orbit, measuring approximately 2,400 square feet and representing one of the most innovative engineering achievements in space-based connectivity. The satellites are designed and manufactured through AST SpaceMobile’s highly vertically integrated model, with approximately 95% of the technology designed and developed in-house by a 2,250+ workforce across over 500,000 square feet of global manufacturing and operations facilities.
Members of the public and investors are encouraged to watch a live broadcast on the launch day from AST SpaceMobile's YouTube channel. The company anticipates hosting an in-person investor launch event at Cape Canaveral for the launch of its next BlueBird 11-13 satellites. AST SpaceMobile greatly appreciates the continued enthusiasm and support from its retail investor community and looks forward to welcoming investors to select future launch activities.
AST SpaceMobile has agreements with nearly 60 mobile network operators globally with over 3 billion subscribers combined and strategic partnerships with AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone, Rakuten, Google, Bell, Telus, stc Group and American Tower.
The exact timing of orbital launches is subject to change based on a number of factors, including launch readiness of the launch provider, weather conditions, and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.
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 enable 4G and 5G space-based cellular broadband to every device, everywhere, for today’s nearly 6 billion mobile subscribers globally. 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 March 2, 2026, its Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2026 filed with the SEC on May 11, 2026 and the future reports that it may file from time to time with the SEC.
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 March 2, 2026, its Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2026 filed with the SEC on May 11, 2026 and the future reports that it may file from time to time with the SEC. 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.
AST SpaceMobile BlueBirds 8, 9 and 10 stacked, ready for payload integration.
