AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) Soars 16% on Next-Gen Satellite Launch Campaign Kickstart

Core Insights - AST SpaceMobile Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS) experienced a significant stock price increase of 16% to close at $56.94, driven by the commencement of its next-generation satellite launch campaign [1][3]. Company Developments - The company announced preparations for the official launch of the BlueBird 6 satellite, which has completed final assembly and testing, and is scheduled to ship to India on October 12 [2]. - Following BlueBird 6, the BlueBird 7 satellite is also set to be shipped to Cape Canaveral, Florida, within the same month [3]. - AST SpaceMobile aims to complete a total of 40 phased arrays by early 2026, increasing the total number of BlueBird satellites to 46 [4]. Production and Launch Plans - The company has multiple satellites in various stages of production, with plans for launches every 1 to 2 months until 2026 [3]. - AST SpaceMobile targets to have up to 60 satellites in orbit by the end of next year [4]. Technical Capabilities - The BlueBird satellites will be the largest commercial satellites deployed in low Earth orbit (LEO), each featuring a 2,400 sq ft phased array capable of processing bandwidth up to 10,000 MHz and peak speeds of 120 Mbps per cell [5][6]. Partnerships and Market Reach - AST SpaceMobile has partnered with over 50 mobile network operators, serving nearly 3 billion subscribers, utilizing a flexible spectrum strategy that combines its own licensed spectrum with that of partners [5].