Communication Technology

AST/SpaceMobile

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.

FCC

[1] AST&Science; LLC  

YouTube

• [RNN]"SpaceMobile" Explored - Interview with AST & Science CEO Abel Avellan (Jun 2020)
• NASA warns 5G SpaceMobile could cause catastrophic collision (Nov 2020)
• Nasa: Huge 5G Satellite Constellation Could be Catastrophic| Galactic Energy Succeeds Orbital Launch (Nov 2020)
• AST SpaceMobile Overview (Dec 2020)
• AST SPACEMOBILE INVESTORS:������Part1 The Product #Merger  #AST  # NPA (Dec 2020)
• AST SPACEMOBILE INVESTORS: Part Two, the Satellites #Merger #AST #NPA (Dec 2020)
• Satellite to smartphone broadband company AST & Science to go public (Dec 2020)
• AST SpaceMobile / NPA - Is this a better solution than Space X? (Jan 2021)
• Jason Silva, friend of the #SpaceMobile​ mission (Mar 2021)

Reference

• NASA objects to new mega-constellation, citing risk of “catastrophic collision” (Nov 2020)
• Planned satellite constellation poses a collision threat, NASA says: reports(Nov 2020)
• AST SpaceMobile CEO outlines capabilities of direct-to-smartphone LEO satellite service - Urgent Communications (Apr 2021)
• AST SpaceMobile Provides Second Quarter 2023 Business Update - AST/SpaceMobile
• AST (SpaceMobile)-NewSpace Index
• AST SpaceMobile adjusts launch plan for potential direct-to-device customer - SpaceNews (Nov 2023)
• AST SpaceMobile Achieves Space-Based 5G Cellular Broadband Connectivity From Everyday Smartphones, Another Historic World First - AST (Sep 2023)