AST ready for 5G from space
AST SpaceMobile has unfolded the solar panels on first five commercial satellites to provide 5G from space.
The BlueBird satellites 1 to 5 are preparing for commercial and US government 5G operations.
AST SpaceMobile will target 100% nationwide coverage across the United States, providing service through more than 5,600 cells on premium low-band spectrum via strategic partnerships with leading operators like AT&T, Verizon, and Vodafone, among others.
The satellites use ASICs from Ensilica in the UK and have large, phased array antennas to extend cellular coverage, eliminating dead zones and delivering space-based cellular broadband connectivity to underserved regions. These advanced phased arrays, the largest ever deployed commercially in low Earth orbit, connect directly to standard smartphones at broadband speeds. This eliminates the need for specialized equipment, enabling seamless use with existing mobile phones while enhancing and complementing mobile operator networks.
The technology also offers significant advantages for government applications, with its dual-use capability supporting both communications and non-communications use cases.
“The unfolding of the first five commercial satellites is a significant milestone for the company. These five satellites are the largest commercial communications arrays ever launched in low Earth orbit,” said Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman and CEO of AST SpaceMobile. “It is a significant achievement to commission these satellites, and we are now accelerating our path to commercial activity.”
“The deployment of our first five BlueBird commercial satellites marks just the beginning of our journey,” said Avellan. “As we prepare for commercial services, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation. Our team is already hard at work building the next generation of satellites, which will offer ten times the capacity of our current BlueBirds, further transforming mobile connectivity and delivering even greater benefits to our customers and partners worldwide.”
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