Communication Technology  

 

 

 

AST

AST SpaceMobile is a publicly traded satellite designer and manufacturer based in Midland, Texas, United States. The company is building the SpaceMobile satellite constellation, a space-based cellular broadband network that will allow existing, unmodified smartphones to connect to satellites in areas with coverage gaps. At the heart of AST SpaceMobile's value proposition is the fact that users will be able to connect to the company's satellites directly with their smartphones, without the need for specialized devices or satellite antennas. This is made possible by the satellites effectively acting as cell towers in space, using cellular spectrum and protocols, as opposed to traditional satellite spectrum and protocols. The company has entered into agreements and understandings with over 40 mobile network operators, and its goal is to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today's 5 billion mobile subscribers. The service will be available to the company's mobile network operator customers, which collectively represent a significant number of subscribers. The technology is designed to provide life-saving connectivity, including indoor coverage in various environments such as inside vehicles or buildings. The company's BlueWalker 3 prototype satellite is the largest commercial communications array in low Earth orbit, and it is expected to have a field of view of over 300,000 square miles on Earth. The satellite maintains low Earth orbit at an altitude between approximately 508 and 527 km (316 and 327 miles).

Orbit and Constellation

The constellation is planned to consist of 243 satellites operating in low Earth orbit (LEO). The company's satellites effectively act as cell towers in space, using cellular spectrum and protocols, as opposed to traditional satellite spectrum and protocols. The first satellites, known as Block 1, are slated to launch in the first quarter of 2024 to low Earth orbit. The technology is designed to provide life-saving connectivity, including indoor coverage in various environments such as inside vehicles or buildings

Spectrum and Bandwidth

  • AST SpaceMobile has achieved space-based LTE speeds of more than 10 Mbps using leased AT&T spectrum and Nokia Radio Access Network gear for testing.
  • The company has also achieved space-based 5G cellular broadband connectivity from everyday smartphones, with a data rate of 14 Mbps.
  • The SpaceMobile satellite constellation is planned to consist of 243 satellites operating in low Earth orbit (LEO), with the first satellites, known as Block 1, slated to launch in the first quarter of 2024.
  • The company's satellites effectively act as cell towers in space, using cellular spectrum and protocols, as opposed to traditional satellite spectrum and protocols.
  • The company's technology is designed to provide life-saving connectivity, including indoor coverage in various environments such as inside vehicles or buildings.

Roadmap and Constellation

SATELLITE PROGRAM

BW3
Launched 9/2022

BlueBird Block 1 (BB1)
Launched 9/2024

BlueBird Block 2 (BB2)

BlueBird Block 3

NUMBER OF SATELLITES

1 (testing sat)

5

Up to 248

ORBIT

520 km

520 km

520 km/690 km

690 km

ARRAY SIZE

~693 sq ft

~693 sq ft

~2,400 sq ft

~2,400 sq ft

CAPACITY

X

10x BW3

100x BW3

100x BW3

BANDS

700 – 960 MHz FDD

700 – 960 MHz FDD

700 – 960 MHz FDD

1.4 – 2.4 GHz FDD

Source : 6G@UT Forum 2025: AST SpaceMobile System and Supplemental Coverage from Space for D2C

Demonstrated Capability

Date Event Details
2024 to Now

Ongoing Testing

  • Worldwide testing of broadband connections using BB1 satellites with partner MNOs
  • Testing capabilities for government applications
September 2023

5G Voice Call
Broadband connection with 14 Mbps (per 5 MHz)

In a 5G first ever, demonstrated space-based 5G connectivity by placing a call from Maui, Hawaii, USA, to a Vodafone engineer in Madrid, Spain, using AT&T spectrum.
June 2023

4G LTE Voice Call
10 Mbps Data rate (per 5 MHz)

In an LTE first ever, using AT&T cellular spectrum, connected everyday smartphones using BW3 satellite.
April 2023

2G Voice Call

The first voice call was made from Midland, Texas area to Rakuten in Japan over AT&T spectrum using a Samsung Galaxy S22 smartphone.

FCC

[1] AST&Science; LLC  

YouTube

Reference