AST SpaceMobile Archives - SpaceNews https://spacenews.com Covering the business and politics of space Tue, 10 Dec 2024 12:02:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/cropped-SN_forza_star-32x32.png AST SpaceMobile Archives - SpaceNews https://spacenews.com 32 32 80681979 AST SpaceMobile locks in 10-year Vodafone commercial agreement https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobile-locks-in-10-year-vodafone-commercial-agreement/ https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobile-locks-in-10-year-vodafone-commercial-agreement/#respond Mon, 09 Dec 2024 23:21:19 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=509900

TAMPA, Fla. — AST SpaceMobile’s shares soared more than 16% Dec. 9 after the direct-to-smartphone satellite operator announced a 10-year commercial arrangement with Vodafone, one of Europe’s largest telcos with […]

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AST SpaceMobile leans on Blue Origin to ramp up satellite launches  https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobile-leans-on-blue-origin-to-ramp-up-satellite-launches/ https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobile-leans-on-blue-origin-to-ramp-up-satellite-launches/#respond Fri, 15 Nov 2024 01:14:13 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=508975

AST SpaceMobile said Nov. 14 it has booked rockets from Blue Origin and others to deploy enough satellites between 2025 and 2026 to provide full text, voice, and 5G data services to standard mobile phones across the United States and other key markets.

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AST SpaceMobile unfolds debut production direct-to-smartphone satellites https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobile-unfolds-debut-production-direct-to-smartphone-satellites/ https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobile-unfolds-debut-production-direct-to-smartphone-satellites/#respond Fri, 25 Oct 2024 18:33:01 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=507676

AST SpaceMobile successfully unfolded its first five production satellites after compacting them for their SpaceX launch to low Earth orbit last month, the direct-to-smartphone broadband constellation developer announced Oct. 25.

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Brightness of first Chinese broadband constellation satellites alarms astronomers https://spacenews.com/brightness-of-first-chinese-broadband-constellation-satellites-alarms-astronomers/ https://spacenews.com/brightness-of-first-chinese-broadband-constellation-satellites-alarms-astronomers/#respond Sat, 05 Oct 2024 20:47:25 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=506752

The first satellites of a Chinese broadband constellation are significantly brighter than those of Western systems, posing a new challenge for astronomers.

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AST SpaceMobile starts work on 17 larger direct-to-smartphone satellites https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobile-starts-work-on-17-larger-direct-to-smartphone-satellites/ https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobile-starts-work-on-17-larger-direct-to-smartphone-satellites/#respond Thu, 15 Aug 2024 22:03:17 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=498745

AST SpaceMobile has started producing parts for 17 larger direct-to-smartphone satellites after taking advantage of its soaring stock price to raise more capital for the broadband constellation.

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AST SpaceMobile cleared to operate BlueBird direct-to-smartphone satellites https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobile-cleared-to-operate-bluebird-direct-to-smartphone-satellites/ https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobile-cleared-to-operate-bluebird-direct-to-smartphone-satellites/#respond Mon, 05 Aug 2024 16:49:50 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=498142

AST SpaceMobile has received conditional approval to deploy and operate its first five operational direct-to-smartphone satellites slated to launch next month, the Texas-based venture said Aug. 5 as it waits for the nod to test and provide commercial services.

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AST SpaceMobile ready to ship first commercial satellites for SpaceX launch https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobile-ready-to-ship-first-commercial-satellites-for-spacex-launch/ https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobile-ready-to-ship-first-commercial-satellites-for-spacex-launch/#respond Thu, 25 Jul 2024 21:22:02 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=497669

Update: SpaceX could resume Falcon 9 launches as soon as July 27 after getting the green light from the Federal Aviation Administration TAMPA, Fla. — AST SpaceMobile’s first five commercial direct-to-smartphone […]

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Verizon plots $100 million direct-to-smartphone satellite investment https://spacenews.com/verizon-plots-100-million-direct-to-smartphone-satellite-investment/ https://spacenews.com/verizon-plots-100-million-direct-to-smartphone-satellite-investment/#respond Wed, 29 May 2024 11:30:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=427086

Verizon plans to invest $100 million in AST SpaceMobile after joining its cellular rival AT&T to partner with the direct-to-smartphone satellite operator.

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Government revenue and AT&T direct-to-smartphone agreement lift AST SpaceMobile https://spacenews.com/government-revenue-and-att-direct-to-smartphone-agreement-lift-ast-spacemobile/ https://spacenews.com/government-revenue-and-att-direct-to-smartphone-agreement-lift-ast-spacemobile/#respond Thu, 16 May 2024 22:42:03 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=423957

AST SpaceMobile’s shares closed up more than 68% after announcing a revenue-sharing deal with AT&T, which plans to use its proposed direct-to-device satellites to keep smartphones connected in cellular dead zones.

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Banding together for direct-to-smartphone satellite services https://spacenews.com/banding-together-for-direct-to-smartphone-satellite-services/ https://spacenews.com/banding-together-for-direct-to-smartphone-satellite-services/#respond Thu, 11 Apr 2024 16:53:23 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=364446

Viasat is considering investing in spacecraft with other Mobile Satellite Service operators as the promise of direct-to-smartphone technology drives unprecedented cooperation among historically isolated networks.

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Latest satellite production delay sends AST SpaceMobile stock plummeting https://spacenews.com/latest-satellite-production-delay-sends-ast-spacemobile-stock-plummeting/ https://spacenews.com/latest-satellite-production-delay-sends-ast-spacemobile-stock-plummeting/#respond Tue, 02 Apr 2024 22:16:20 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=361793

AST SpaceMobile’s shares plunged to a new low after the direct-to-smartphone developer said initial commercial satellites will not be ready for launch until at least July following its latest production delay.

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AT&T underlines support for realizing direct-to-smartphone satellite service https://spacenews.com/att-underlines-support-for-realizing-direct-to-smartphone-satellite-service/ https://spacenews.com/att-underlines-support-for-realizing-direct-to-smartphone-satellite-service/#respond Fri, 22 Mar 2024 22:04:31 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=359196

AT&T is prepared to provide more funds to help get AST SpaceMobile’s direct-to-smartphone constellation plans off the ground.

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FCC approves direct-to-smartphone regulatory framework https://spacenews.com/fcc-approves-direct-to-smartphone-regulatory-framework/ https://spacenews.com/fcc-approves-direct-to-smartphone-regulatory-framework/#respond Thu, 14 Mar 2024 17:26:12 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=355746

U.S. regulators have approved ground rules for allowing SpaceX and other satellite operators to use radio waves from terrestrial mobile partners to keep smartphone users connected outside cell tower coverage.

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US finalizes proposed direct-to-smartphone regulatory framework https://spacenews.com/us-finalizes-proposed-direct-to-smartphone-regulatory-framework/ https://spacenews.com/us-finalizes-proposed-direct-to-smartphone-regulatory-framework/#respond Wed, 21 Feb 2024 23:30:51 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=347911

U.S. regulators will vote March 14 on a regulatory framework for allowing satellites to use radio waves from terrestrial mobile operators to keep their smartphone users connected beyond the reach of cell towers.

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Google and AT&T join $155 million AST SpaceMobile investment https://spacenews.com/google-and-att-join-155-million-ast-spacemobile-investment/ https://spacenews.com/google-and-att-join-155-million-ast-spacemobile-investment/#respond Sat, 20 Jan 2024 01:41:36 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=229551

Google and AT&T have joined a $155 million strategic investment in AST SpaceMobile, which is set to raise double that to help fund its direct-to-smartphone connectivity constellation.

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SpaceX deploys direct-to-smartphone satellites in first launch of 2024 https://spacenews.com/spacex-deploys-direct-to-smartphone-satellites-in-first-launch-of-2024/ https://spacenews.com/spacex-deploys-direct-to-smartphone-satellites-in-first-launch-of-2024/#respond Wed, 03 Jan 2024 06:25:32 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=225181 A Falcon 9 launched 21 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California Jan. 2, including six SpaceX says are capable of providing connectivity to unmodified smartphones.
A Falcon 9 launched 21 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California Jan. 2, including six SpaceX says are capable of providing connectivity to unmodified smartphones.

SpaceX launched its first batch of Starlink satellites designed to connect directly to unmodified smartphones Jan. 2 after getting a temporary experimental license to start testing the capability in the United States.

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AST SpaceMobile adjusts launch plan for potential direct-to-device customer https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobile-adjusts-launch-plan-for-potential-direct-to-device-customer/ https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobile-adjusts-launch-plan-for-potential-direct-to-device-customer/#respond Wed, 15 Nov 2023 21:11:30 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=207963

AST SpaceMobile is spending $5 million more on its first commercial direct-to-smartphone satellites so SpaceX can launch them early next year to a different orbital inclination to improve coverage for a potential customer.

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Astronomers raise interference concerns from AST SpaceMobile satellite https://spacenews.com/astronomers-raise-interference-concerns-from-ast-spacemobile-satellite/ https://spacenews.com/astronomers-raise-interference-concerns-from-ast-spacemobile-satellite/#respond Tue, 03 Oct 2023 10:37:10 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=191905

A prototype satellite launched by AST SpaceMobile a year ago is at times one the brightest objects in the night sky, raising new concerns about its impact on astronomy.

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AST SpaceMobile Achieves Space-Based 5G Cellular Broadband Connectivity From Everyday Smartphones https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobile-achieves-space-based-5g-cellular-broadband-connectivity-from-everyday-smartphones/ Wed, 20 Sep 2023 23:07:23 +0000 https://spaceref.com/?p=211037 BlueWalker 3 on the ground at our Midland, Texas facility prior to launch, and in space
BlueWalker 3 on the ground at our Midland, Texas facility prior to launch, and in space

AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (“AST SpaceMobile”) (NASDAQ: ASTS), the company building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by standard mobile phones, today announced another unprecedented leap in […]

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AST SpaceMobile’s prototype satellite makes first 5G connection https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobiles-prototype-satellite-makes-first-5g-connection/ https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobiles-prototype-satellite-makes-first-5g-connection/#respond Wed, 20 Sep 2023 00:04:51 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=188171

AST Space Mobile said Sept. 19 its Blue Walker 3 test satellite that's been in orbit for a year recently relayed its first 5G phone call to an ordinary smartphone in a cellular dead zone.

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Satellite industry debates size of direct-to-device market https://spacenews.com/satellite-industry-debates-size-of-direct-to-device-market/ https://spacenews.com/satellite-industry-debates-size-of-direct-to-device-market/#respond Thu, 14 Sep 2023 10:09:33 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=184792

While there is growing interest in providing connectivity by satellites directly to phones, there is no consensus on how quickly that market will grow, or even what that market should be called.

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AST SpaceMobile fully funds first five commercial direct-to-device satellites https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobile-fully-funds-first-five-commercial-direct-to-device-satellites/ https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobile-fully-funds-first-five-commercial-direct-to-device-satellites/#respond Tue, 15 Aug 2023 00:37:53 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=175786

AST SpaceMobile has fully funded its first five commercial satellites slated to launch with SpaceX early next year after raising $115 million in debt, the low Earth orbit direct-to-device startup said Aug. 14.

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AST SpaceMobile hunting for more funds following stock sale https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobile-hunting-for-more-funds-following-stock-sale/ https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobile-hunting-for-more-funds-following-stock-sale/#respond Fri, 30 Jun 2023 20:34:42 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=166472

AST SpaceMobile is continuing to search for funds ahead of deploying commercial direct-to-device satellites next year after getting more breathing room with a $60 million discounted share sale.

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AT&T and AST SpaceMobile seek permission for spectrum leasing deal https://spacenews.com/att-and-ast-spacemobile-seek-permission-for-spectrum-leasing-deal/ https://spacenews.com/att-and-ast-spacemobile-seek-permission-for-spectrum-leasing-deal/#respond Thu, 11 May 2023 21:31:01 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=156427

AT&T requested regulatory permission May 10 to lease AST SpaceMobile the wireless spectrum the venture needs to connect smartphones in the United States to its planned constellation.

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