SpaceX Just Launched AST SpaceMobile's Biggest Bet To Advance Cell Service From Space

AST SpaceMobile announced that the BlueBird 8, 9, and 10 satellites were launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral on Wednesday.

• AST SpaceMobile stated that the three new BlueBird satellites are designed to deliver peak data speeds of nearly 200 Mbps directly to standard smartphones.
• The satellites are part of AST SpaceMobile's push toward commercializing a space-based cellular broadband network that works with existing 4G and 5G devices without requiring specialized hardware.
• This comes after the company’s BlueBird satellite launch target suffered a setback in April this year after a catastrophic explosion of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket.

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SPCX) on Wednesday launched AST SpaceMobile Inc.’s (ASTS) largest-ever commercial communications satellites into orbit.

AST SpaceMobile announced that the BlueBird 8, 9, and 10 satellites were launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral on Wednesday.

SpaceX shares were up more than 3% in Wednesday’s pre-market trade, while AST SpaceMobile shares were up more than 6%. Both ASTS and SPCX were among the top trending tickers on Stocktwits at the time of writing.

Why The Bluebird Launches Matter For ASTS

AST SpaceMobile is racing to commercialize a space-based cellular broadband network that connects directly to existing smartphones without requiring specialized satellite hardware.

The satellites are part of AST SpaceMobile's push toward commercializing a space-based cellular broadband network that works with existing 4G and 5G devices without requiring specialized hardware.

This comes after the company’s BlueBird satellite launch target suffered a setback in April this year after a catastrophic explosion of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket.

How ASTS’s BlueBirds 8, 9 And 10 Differ

BlueBirds 8, 9 and 10 are AST SpaceMobile's largest and most capable satellites deployed to date. Each spacecraft features an antenna array spanning roughly 2,400 square feet, making them the largest commercial communications arrays ever deployed in low Earth orbit.

The expanded antenna design is intended to improve coverage, increase network capacity and reduce interference while connecting directly to standard smartphones.

AST SpaceMobile said the satellites are designed to deliver peak data speeds of nearly 200 Mbps, almost double the 98.9 Mbps download speed recently demonstrated by its first-generation Block 1 BlueBird satellites.

The company believes the enhanced performance will support voice calls, broadband data and video services directly from space without requiring users to purchase specialized satellite phones or additional hardware.

What’s Next For ASTS

AST SpaceMobile said BlueBirds 11, 12 and 13 are in final preparations for shipment to Cape Canaveral ahead of a future launch, while next-generation satellites through BlueBird 37 are already in production and assembly.

CEO Abel Avellan said the company's focus remains on increasing launch cadence, scaling manufacturing and preparing for commercial service as it builds out its direct-to-smartphone satellite constellation.

ASTS’s Launch Target For 2026

AST SpaceMobile has scheduled launches of its latest BlueBird satellites throughout 2026, supporting peak speeds of 120 Mbps per coverage cell. The company has partnered with over 50 telecom companies globally.

AST SpaceMobile also stated that it has more than 3,900 patents and pending claims, and aims to reach about three billion subscribers globally through its network.

How Did Stocktwits Users React To ASTS?

Retail sentiment on Stocktwits around AST SpaceMobile trended in the ‘bullish’ territory, while message volumes were at ‘high’ levels.

ASTS stock is up 13% year-to-date, while SPCX stock is up 35%. The Tema Space Innovators ETF (NASA) is up 33% over the past 12 months, while the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund ETF (VTI) is up 25%.

The Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund ETF (VB) is up 28% during this period.

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