AST SpaceMobile confirmed plans to launch its BlueBird 7 satellite in late February from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station aboard Blue Origin’s New Glenn vehicle. BlueBird 7 is the second satellite in the company’s next-generation BlueBird campaign and mirrors the configuration of BlueBird 6.
At nearly 2,400 square feet (about 223 square meters), BlueBird 7 carries the largest commercial communications array in low Earth orbit, measuring roughly 3.5 times larger than the first five BlueBird satellites. AST SpaceMobile said the platform supports peak space-based cellular broadband data rates of up to 120 Mbps for voice, data, and streaming, targeting direct connectivity with standard, unmodified smartphones.
The next-generation BlueBird design supports multiple launch vehicles, with future New Glenn missions expected to deploy up to eight satellites per flight using the rocket’s seven-meter fairing. AST SpaceMobile said the launch advances its roadmap toward commercial service in 2026, while continuing to scale U.S.-based manufacturing across nearly 500,000 square feet of facilities in Texas.
- Launch scheduled for late February from Launch Complex 36 on New Glenn
- BlueBird 7 mirrors BlueBird 6 as part of the next-generation constellation
- Communications array spans ~2,400 square feet (≈223 m²), the largest commercial array in LEO
- Peak data rates reach up to 120 Mbps for space-based cellular broadband
- New Glenn’s seven-meter fairing enables up to eight BlueBird satellites per launch
- AST SpaceMobile reports ~95% vertical integration and a workforce of nearly 1,800
“This launch advances our mission to bring space-based cellular broadband connectivity to everyday smartphones as we progress towards launching commercial services in 2026,” said Scott Wisniewski, President of AST SpaceMobile. “BlueBird 7 moves us closer to delivering a new layer of cellular broadband connectivity for consumers, enterprises, and government customers worldwide.”
🌐 Analysis
The BlueBird 7 launch underscores AST SpaceMobile’s strategy to accelerate constellation deployment ahead of planned commercial service, while diversifying access to heavy-lift launch vehicles such as New Glenn. As rival direct-to-device initiatives from other LEO operators advance testing and regulatory milestones, AST SpaceMobile is emphasizing satellite aperture size and capacity as key differentiators for scalable 4G and 5G coverage.
