AST SpaceMobile to rely on Blue Origin to launch the bulk of its next-gen direct-to-cell satellites

One of the more successful Space SPACs of recent years, AST SpaceMobile announced it has secured a multi-launch contract with Blue Origin to use its New Glenn rocket to deploy the Block 2 Bluebird satellites in 2025 and 2026.

The company has really hit its stride investment-wise this year. While the majority of Space SPACs have seen lowered valuations, AST SpaceMobile has soared in 2024, gaining investments from both AT&T and Verizon.

The mission of the company is to provide satellite connectivity to mobile phones across the country. This goal actually came before SpaceX’s Starlink service began providing a similar service via T-Mobile. AST will need to directly compete with the now telecom giant in all of its markets, which include the US, Canada, Europe, Japan, and the US Government.

To do this, AST SpaceMobile needs its Block 2 satellites in orbit. It currently has contracts with both SpaceX and India to launch small batches of the 2,400 square foot satellites. However, a new contract with Blue Origin announced Thursday will give the company access to the larger New Glenn rocket, which can launch up to eight Block 2 Bluebirds at a time.

“New Glenn’s performance and unprecedented capacity within its seven-meter fairing enable us to deploy more of our Block 2 BlueBird satellites in orbit, helping provide continuous cellular broadband service coverage across some of the most in-demand cellular markets globally,” said Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman, and CEO at AST SpaceMobile.

Blue Origin is reportedly on track to launch its first New Glenn rocket as soon as December, debuting what the company has been working so hard to finish for several years. The mission will fly a test flight of Blue Ring, an in-space servicing platform that could also operate as a satellite bus or a base for larger crewed spacecraft. AST SpaceMobile expects New Glenn to launch the bulk of its Block 2 satellites next year and into 2026.

“It’s an honor to support AST SpaceMobile’s deployment of their next-generation BlueBird satellites, which will expand connectivity across the globe and positively impact many lives,” Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp said in a statement. “New Glenn is purpose-built for these kinds of innovative and ambitious missions.”

For now, though, all eyes have been on SpaceX, with weekly Starlink launches from both US coasts and the nearing Starship Flight 6 coming as soon as next Monday.