Would-be global satellite-to-cellular operator AST SpaceMobile has upped the number of its BlueBird satellites to be launched by SpaceX from three aboard to four.

While the precise launch date has not been confirmed, rumours suggest that it could happen on December 30th, from Cape Canaveral on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Meanwhile, the first of these second-generation satellites (BlueBird FM1) is still due for launch on an Indian rocket on December 15th, subject to the usual weather and last-minute technical conditions.

Each of these satellites has a deployed 2,400 square foot (in area) communications array, and – according to AST – can handle voice, full data and video applications to large areas of the Earth below. They are each very large satellites and claimed to be the largest commercial satellites ever launched into Low Earth orbit (LEO).

AST says it expects to be launching multiple satellites on each rocket every one-to-two months on average throughout 2026, and the goal is to have between 45-60 satellites in orbit by the end of 2026.

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Categories: Articles, Satellite

Tags: AST SpaceMobile, LEO, spacex