AST SpaceMobile Will Reach 45 Satellites by Early 2027
The company aims to expand its direct-to-smartphone satellite network through increased orbital deployment.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Telecommunications
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AST SpaceMobile projects having 45 BlueBird satellites in orbit by early 2027 to provide connectivity for standard smartphones. The company currently has 13 spacecraft in orbit as of August 10, 2026.
Why it matters
The company is scaling its infrastructure to enable direct satellite-to-phone communication, bypassing the need for specialized hardware. This effort seeks to close connectivity gaps in markets across the United States, Europe, and Japan.
Manufacturing capacity has reached up to six Block 2 BlueBird satellites per month. The company also holds a $1.30 billion revenue backlog and $3.7 billion in cash and cash equivalents.
The players
AST SpaceMobile
A satellite manufacturer and operator focused on building a space-based cellular broadband network for standard smartphones.
The details
AST SpaceMobile uses a constellation of BlueBird satellites designed to interface directly with existing mobile devices. The process involves custom assembly and testing facilities that enable the production of six satellites monthly. These spacecraft utilize launch vehicles to reach orbit, where they integrate with standard cellular frequencies to provide service to unmodified handsets.
Timeline
June 30, 2026: Cash and cash equivalents reached $3.7 billion.
July 2026: The company secured $1.150 billion in gross proceeds from note offerings.
August 5, 2026: BlueBird 11 through 13 were launched.
August 10, 2026: The company confirmed 13 spacecraft were in orbit.
Early 2027: The company targets having 45 satellites in orbit.
The Tech Race
This deployment schedule reflects the intensifying global race to provide universal satellite-based cellular coverage. The company is actively accelerating its manufacturing cadence to compete against other providers pursuing direct-to-smartphone connectivity.
Users in the United States, Europe, and Japan will eventually gain access to service that connects standard smartphones directly to satellites. Availability depends on the successful expansion of the current 13-satellite fleet to the projected 45-satellite network.
The takeaway
The company is transitioning from experimental launches to a high-volume manufacturing model to support its network goals. Investors and users should monitor the full-year 2026 revenue results, which are currently guided between $150 million and $200 million.
What happens next
Watch for quarterly updates through early 2027 to confirm if the company maintains its manufacturing output of six satellites per month and reaches the 45-satellite deployment target.
Further reading
For broader updates on connectivity infrastructure, visit the Telecommunications section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TokenPost.
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