AST SpaceMobile updates BlueBird launch schedule, targeting 46 satellites by Q1 2027
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Satellite cellular provider AST SpaceMobile laid out a BlueBird launch plan running from late October into March 2027.
The schedule hinges on Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket and is described as unconfirmed.
Background
AST SpaceMobile is a would-be global satellite cellular provider, aiming to deliver phone service from satellites. Its SVP of Regulatory Affairs, Jennifer Manner, told a Congress committee in December 2025 that the company would launch between 45 and 60 of its second-generation BlueBird 2 satellites during 2026. The updated schedule is notable because it is much later than first anticipated, though the company says 46 satellites in orbit would be enough for a core 'beta' service in some important markets. AST says 90 craft are needed on orbit to begin global services, with a total target of 243 satellites by the end of 2028.
How it unfolded
- Dec 2025Jennifer Manner, SVP of Regulatory Affairs at AST SpaceMobile, told a Congress committee the Direct-to-Cell business would launch 45 to 60 second-generation BlueBird 2 satellites during 2026.
- Oct 14, 2026Rocket Lab announced its Neutron launch vehicle's inaugural launch is now expected in 2027.
- Oct 19, 2026AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird rockets #14, #15 and #16 were said to be due to launch later in October.
- Nov 2026BlueBirds #17, #18 and #19 are to ship to the launch site and launch later in November on a Falcon 9.
- Dec 2026BlueBirds #20, #21 and #22 should ship from the Midland factory and launch by mid-December; #23 to #27 are said to be ready to ship by late November and launch by year-end.
- Jan 2027BlueBirds #28, #29 and #30 should launch by mid-January.
- Feb 2027BlueBirds #33, #34 and #35 could launch by early February.
- Mar 2027BlueBirds #36 to #43 are to launch by early March, and #44 to #46 later in March, wrapping the ambition for 46 satellites in orbit by the end of Q1 2027.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- AST SpaceMobile says 46 satellites in orbit would be sufficient to provide a core 'beta' service to some important markets, with 90 needed to begin global services.
- Caution
- The current schedule is described as unconfirmed and depends on Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket coming on stream by late December or early January.
Still unverified
The current AST SpaceMobile schedule is described as unconfirmed and depends on Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket coming on stream by late December or early January.