AST SpaceMobile

AST SpaceMobile operates a space-based cellular broadband network designed to connect directly to unmodified consumer smartphones using patented phased-array antennas in low Earth orbit. The company manufactures communications satellites featuring large antenna arrays that function as orbiting cell towers. These satellites utilize existing mobile network operator spectrum, eliminating the need for hardware changes to consumer devices or terrestrial infrastructure. AST SpaceMobile produces its spacecraft at two vertically integrated manufacturing facilities in Midland, Texas, and maintains engineering centers in Maryland, the United Kingdom, India, and Germany. The company's primary platform, BlueBird, transitioned to Block 2 satellites in late 2025, featuring antennas covering up to 2,400 square feet to enable higher data throughput and expanded capacity.

The company employs a wholesale business model, partnering with terrestrial mobile network operators including AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone, Rakuten, and Google. These agreements cover over 45 carriers representing more than 2 billion subscribers globally. AST SpaceMobile also serves government and defense customers, highlighted by a February 2026 $30 million contract with the Space Development Agency to demonstrate military broadband connectivity through its satellite constellation. The company is a publicly traded entity on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker ASTS. Current operations focus on scaling the BlueBird constellation to achieve continuous global coverage through a ramped launch schedule involving the New Glenn and Falcon 9 launch vehicles.