Three More Broadband Satellites Reach Orbit After Predawn Launch
BlueBird 11, 12, 13 Satellites Carried into Orbit by SpaceX
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried three satellites into low Earth orbit early Wednesday for AST SpaceMobile, expanding a constellation designed to deliver cellular broadband directly to standard smartphones.
“We remain focused on scaling our cellular broadband network as we prepare for beta services later this year.”
Abel Avellan, AST SpaceMobile
The satellites, BlueBirds 11, 12 and 13, launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The mission follows the company’s launch of BlueBirds 8, 9 and 10 in June and brings the total number of BlueBird satellites launched to 13.
SpaceX confirmed that the Falcon 9 lifted off from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 3:49 a.m. EDT.
The constellation has had one setback: BlueBird 7 was lost April 19 when a cryogenic leak froze a hydraulic line on its Blue Origin New Glenn rocket, causing a thrust anomaly during the second-stage engine burn, according to the FAA, which closed its investigation into the incident May 22. The agency said Blue Origin identified nine corrective actions and that New Glenn is authorized to return to flight.
“The successful launch of BlueBirds 11, 12, and 13 demonstrates the progress of a space-based cellular broadband network built for scale,” said Abel Avellan, founder, chairman and CEO of AST SpaceMobile. “We remain focused on scaling our cellular broadband network as we prepare for beta services later this year.”
The new satellites carry communications arrays covering nearly 2,400 square feet, which the company’s own website describes as the largest commercial phased arrays deployed in low Earth orbit, surpassing the 693-square-foot arrays on its first-generation BlueBirds. AST SpaceMobile said the new satellites are expected to reach peak data rates approaching 200 Mbps, compared with the 98.9 Mbps the company has said its first-generation satellites have achieved. Those performance figures come from the company and are not attributed to an independent test or a named engineer.
AST SpaceMobile said it has agreements with nearly 60 mobile network operators worldwide, representing more than 3 billion subscribers combined, along with what it called strategic partnerships with AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone, Rakuten, Google, Bell, Telus, stc Group and American Tower. The release did not specify whether those arrangements are signed contracts, letters of intent or memorandums of understanding.
BlueBirds 14, 15 and 16 are preparing for the company’s next launch, and production has advanced through satellite 42, according to the release. AST SpaceMobile said it is targeting beta service later this year.