AST SpaceMobile’s quarterly trading statement confirmed further delays in launching its satellites. The first of its ‘next-gen’ BlueBird craft (BB6) will now launch during the second week of December (on an Indian rocket) with the second (BB7) being delivered to Cape Canaveral this month with a launch soon after. However, launches are seen as running about two months later than originally planned.

Chairman and CEO Abel Avellan told analysts that AST continued to build commercial momentum, most recently highlighted by its definitive agreements with Verizon and Saudi Telecom Group.

Scott Wisniewski, AST’s President referred to the recent reports that a major European link-up between AST and Vodafone could lead to AST becoming the supplier top the European Commission’s IRIS2 mega-constellation. The company said “Twenty-one of the 25 top operators in Europe have basically committed or are expected to be part of the network and the constellation that we are building as part of our constellation, but with certain features for the European MNOs.”

However, when specifically asked about IRIS2, Wisniewski said he did not want to comment on new contracts. Observers suggest that an IRIS2 contract from Europe seems “very likely”.

AST reported it had won more than $1 billion in aggregate contracted revenue commitments from partners reflecting a robust demand as company advances towards commercial service rollout, and a 9th contract awarded to AST by the US government.

“Bluebird 8 to 19 are in various stages of production, and we are on schedule to complete 40 satellites equivalent of microns by early 2026, bringing us to Bluebird 46,” said Avellan.

Other highlights from the AST numbers:

· Still targeting production of 6 satellites / month by 2025 YE
· BB8 – to -19 under construction
· BB8-10 to launch in early January
· BB11-13 to launch in later January
· Targeting 45-60 satellites in orbit by end-2026
· Mitsubishi under consideration as an additional launch provider
· $3.2 billion of finance ready for fleet of 100 satellites

Other posts by :

1. UK trims Orbex investment
2. Euro-bank sets up €500m space fund
3. Revenue jump forecast for Eutelsat
4. Moody’s upgrades Eutelsat’s debt rating
5. Rivada Space Networks wins spectrum dispute
6. Will we take an AI bubble bath?
7. Eutelsat shareholders upset over Rights Issue
8. Amazon Leo satellites en route to French Guiana
9. Deutsche Bank reveals targets for AST SpaceMobile

Categories: Articles, Business, Results

Tags: AST SpaceMobile, BlueBird