AST SpaceMobile, which is building a satellite-based system to provide global 5G cellular access, says it will see 20 of its powerful Block 2 satellites launched this year. The first of that number will be launched during August on nan Indian rocket.

It already has five of its earlier Block 1 satellites in orbit which has enabled it to test connections with its partners such as Rakuten in Japan, Vodafone, and Verizon and AT&T in the US.

The first two of these Block 2 satellites, including FM1 (the Indian launch), will operate at an altitude of 520km, and the remaining 18 satellites will operate at an altitude of 690 km.

However, there’s a long way to go. AST is planning to have 243 of its satellites in orbit by the end of 2026, and then another 72 – or more – each year thereafter until 2028.

On July 25th, AST announced it had priced a private offering of $500 million of convertible notes, due in 2032, at $120.12 per share.

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Categories: Articles, Broadband, Satellite

Tags: AST SpaceMobile, satellite