AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 Satellite Fails to Reach Planned Orbit

Event summary

  • AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 satellite was placed into a lower-than-planned orbit during the New Glenn 3 mission.
  • The satellite will de-orbit due to insufficient altitude to sustain operations with its onboard thruster technology.
  • The cost of the satellite is expected to be recovered under the company’s insurance policy.
  • BlueBird 7 was intended to be the eighth satellite deployed into low Earth orbit for AST SpaceMobile’s space-based cellular broadband network.
  • The company continues to target approximately 45 satellites in orbit by the end of 2026.

The big picture

AST SpaceMobile’s setback highlights the risks inherent in space-based infrastructure projects, particularly those reliant on third-party launch services. The incident underscores the importance of robust insurance policies and reliable launch providers in the rapidly evolving space telecommunications sector. The company’s ability to maintain its deployment schedule will be critical for its commercial and government applications.

What we're watching

Execution Risk
How AST SpaceMobile will manage the impact of this setback on its planned satellite deployment schedule.
Insurance Recovery
Whether the company’s insurance policy will fully cover the cost of the lost satellite.
Launch Reliability
The pace at which AST SpaceMobile can secure reliable launch services to meet its 2026 deployment targets.

Related topics

Telecommunications