Experience the Future of Internet: AST SpaceMobile Prepares for Liftoff!

AST SpaceMobile, a satellite design and manufacturing company based in Texas, is preparing to launch a set of five satellites that will initiate its smartphone-accessible cellular broadband internet service. The company has recently made some adjustments to its deployment strategy in order to enhance satellite coverage. Despite these changes, the launch timeline for the first quarter of 2024 is expected to remain unaffected.

According to a Space News report, AST SpaceMobile will pay $5 million more to SpaceX to implement these latest changes before deployment. SpaceX will carry its BlueBird satellites on its Falcon 9 rocket into low Earth orbit (LEO) and place them there. According to the report, the satellites will be placed in orbit at a higher inclination of 53 degrees. This allows the satellites to cover the area between 59 degrees north and 59 degrees south of the hemisphere.

AST SpaceMobile will launch the satellites soon

According to the company, five BlueBird satellites are expected to be sufficient to provide intermittent connection services. It is expected that once AST SpaceMobile has collected enough data and confirmed the system’s effectiveness, more satellites will follow. According to information shared by the company, the BlueBird satellites weigh around 1500 kg, which is the same size as its BlueWalker 3 satellites. It is also in talks to acquire more commercial satellites, which can weigh up to 50 percent more than current models.

The company’s CEO, Abel Avellan, has previously said that about 90 BlueBird satellites in low-Earth orbit are needed to provide planned 5G services, which include both voice and data plans.

“The company has agreements with more than 35 mobile operators worldwide with approximately 2 billion subscribers,” he said earlier.

India is also on the radar of AST SpaceMobile. The company is expected to offer its services in India through its partner Vodafone.