AST SpaceMobile: Big Satellites, Many Operators
What is AST SpaceMobile building, how far has it got, and what does its business depend on?
Chapter summary
AST SpaceMobile is building a constellation of very large satellites that act as cell towers in mobile operators' spectrum, aiming at voice and broadband to unmodified phones.
Key takeaways
- 1
Its BlueBird Block 2 satellites have 223-square-metre arrays, about three and a half times the 64 square metres of the first five Block 1 satellites launched in 2024.
- 2
It had 12 BlueBirds in orbit in October 2026 after losing one to a New Glenn upper-stage underperformance in April, targets about 45 by early 2027, has agreements with more than 60 operators covering about 3 billion subscribers, and holds more than $3.7 billion of pro forma cash.
- 3
Its 2026 revenue guidance is $150–200 million, mostly from gateway equipment and government work so far.
Key figures in this chapter
- ~12
- BlueBirds in orbit (+ BlueWalker 3)
- $150–200M
- 2026 revenue guidance
- ~$1.3B
- contracted backlog
- >$3.7B
- pro forma cash
Source: AST SpaceMobile Q2 2026
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