AST SpaceMobile Inc. (ASTS) just sent something truly massive into space, and it's not hyperbole to call it record-breaking. The company announced Wednesday that its BlueBird 6 satellite successfully deployed the largest commercial communications array ever installed in low Earth orbit.
The satellite lifted off at 10:25 p.m. EST on December 23 from India's Satish Dhawan Space Centre, carrying what amounts to AST SpaceMobile's biggest technological leap yet. We're talking about a spacecraft that spans nearly 2,400 square feet—roughly three times larger than the company's earlier BlueBird satellites. More importantly, it delivers ten times the capacity of the six satellites AST SpaceMobile currently has orbiting above us.
To put that size in perspective, imagine trying to fit something the size of a small house into orbit. That's essentially what AST SpaceMobile just accomplished.
Bringing 5G to Unmodified Smartphones
The real innovation here isn't just about size—it's about what BlueBird 6 can actually do. The spacecraft is designed to enable both commercial and government services, including direct-to-device 4G and 5G connectivity for standard, unmodified smartphones. Yes, you read that correctly: your regular smartphone, without any special modifications, potentially connecting to cellular service via satellite.
This capability relies on AST SpaceMobile's proprietary technology, which the company has been developing and refining at its facilities in Midland, Texas. That's where BlueBird 6 was both built and tested, part of the company's nearly 500,000 square feet of global manufacturing and operations space.
Aggressive Expansion Timeline
The successful BlueBird 6 launch isn't just a milestone—it's the starting gun for AST SpaceMobile's next major execution phase. The company remains on track to deploy between 45 and 60 satellites by the end of 2026, with launches planned every one to two months. That's an ambitious cadence that would transform the company's orbital infrastructure from a handful of satellites to a full-fledged constellation.
The business case behind this expansion looks solid. AST SpaceMobile has secured agreements with over 50 mobile network operators worldwide, representing a combined subscriber base of nearly 3 billion people. The company has also locked in strategic partnerships with major players including AT&T Inc. (T), Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ), Vodafone Group Plc (VOD), Rakuten Group Inc. (RKUNY), Alphabet Inc.'s Google (GOOGL), American Tower Corporation (AMT), Bell, and stc Group.
That's not just an impressive client list—it's a who's who of global telecommunications infrastructure.
Building Out Manufacturing Capacity
In November, AST SpaceMobile disclosed the addition of two new manufacturing sites in Texas and Florida, further expanding its operations. This manufacturing expansion makes sense when you consider the company's aggressive deployment timeline. You can't launch a satellite every one to two months without serious production capacity.
The space-based cellular connectivity market is heating up, with multiple companies racing to provide service to areas traditional cell towers can't reach. AST SpaceMobile's approach—enabling connectivity for standard smartphones rather than requiring specialized satellite phones—could give it a significant advantage if the technology performs as promised at scale.
ASTS Price Action: AST SpaceMobile shares were up 2.49% at $87.80 during premarket trading on Wednesday, according to market data.