AST SpaceMobile gears up for record-breaking satellite launches by year-end

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AST SpaceMobile gears up for record-breaking satellite launches by year-end

Animated rocket graphic on a computer screen with an arrow pointing to a launch button, suggesting imminent activation.
Alex Duffy
Alex Duffy
2 Min.

AST SpaceMobile gears up for record-breaking satellite launches by year-end

AST SpaceMobile is expanding its satellite network with two upcoming launches. BlueBird #6 will lift off on December 24th aboard an Indian rocket, while BlueBird #7 has already left the factory for a New Year deployment. The company also plans a major increase in capacity, with 45 to 60 new satellites set for 2026.

The next launch, LVM3-M6, is scheduled for 08:54 am IST (03:24 am UTC) on December 24th. BlueBird #6 will become the heaviest payload ever carried by India's LVM3 rocket. Once in orbit, it will also hold the title of the largest commercial communications satellite in Low Earth Orbit.

Meanwhile, BlueBird #7 has completed factory testing in Midland, Texas, and is now en route for its own launch early next year. Production is already underway for 25 second-generation Block 2 satellites, part of a broader expansion plan. AST SpaceMobile aims to scale up its constellation significantly in 2026. The company intends to deploy between 45 and 60 satellites that year, forming the backbone of its operational network. No technical changes from the current BlueBird models have been disclosed so far.

The December 24th launch will mark a key milestone for AST SpaceMobile, with BlueBird #6 setting new records for size and weight. With another satellite ready for early 2025 and a major deployment planned for 2026, the company is pushing ahead with its global communications network. The expanded constellation is expected to boost coverage and capacity in the coming years.