AST SpaceMobile the company building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by everyday smartphones, designed for both commercial and government applications, announced that the launch of the BlueBird 8, 9, and 10 satellites is currently scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. Liftoff is targeted for 2:39 a.m. EDT with additional opportunities available until 4:15 a.m.
The orbital launch mission will carry the next-generation satellites BlueBirds 8, 9, and 10, to support AST SpaceMobile’s growing commercial and government communications and non-communications capabilities, including space-based cellular broadband services: voice, data and video to standard, unmodified smartphones everywhere.
The BlueBird satellites will leverage AST SpaceMobile’s next-generation stackable satellite architecture, including advanced composite carbon structures designed to support efficient multi-satellite launches and accelerated constellation deployment. Combined with the company’s multi-provider launch strategy, the architecture is designed to provide flexibility in AST SpaceMobile’s deployment of its global constellation.
“Our upcoming launch marks another important milestone as we continue advancing the deployment of our space-based cellular broadband network,” said Scott Wisniewski, President of AST SpaceMobile. “Each BlueBird satellite launched expands our ability to support seamless space-based broadband mobile connectivity directly to everyday smartphones. Our next-generation BlueBird satellites, the largest phase-arrays ever deployed in low Earth orbit, together with our expanding manufacturing capabilities, position AST SpaceMobile to continue scaling toward continuous global space-based cellular broadband coverage supported by a diversified launch strategy.”
These next generation BlueBird satellites are expected to further expand AST SpaceMobile's direct-to-device broadband constellation while delivering nearly double the peak data speeds of the company's initial Block 1 BlueBird satellites, which recently achieved peak download speeds of 98.9 Mbps directly to standard smartphones. The mission represents another step toward AST SpaceMobile's goal of bringing mobile broadband connectivity to the billions of people worldwide who remain unconnected or under-connected.
Similar to the in-orbit BlueBird 6 satellite, BlueBirds 8, 9 and 10 feature the largest commercial communications arrays ever deployed in low Earth orbit, measuring approximately 2,400 square feet and representing one of the most innovative engineering achievements in space-based connectivity. The satellites are designed and manufactured through AST SpaceMobile’s highly vertically integrated model, with approximately 95% of the technology designed and developed in-house by a 2,250+ workforce across over 500,000 square feet of global manufacturing and operations facilities.
Members of the public and investors are encouraged to watch a live broadcast on the launch day from AST SpaceMobile's YouTube channel. The company anticipates hosting an in-person investor launch event at Cape Canaveral for the launch of its next BlueBird 11-13 satellites. AST SpaceMobile greatly appreciates the continued enthusiasm and support from its retail investor community and looks forward to welcoming investors to select future launch activities.
AST SpaceMobile has agreements with nearly 60 mobile network operators globally with over 3 billion subscribers combined and strategic partnerships with AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone, Rakuten, Google, Bell, Telus, stc Group and American Tower. The exact timing of orbital launches is subject to change based on a number of factors, including launch readiness of the launch provider, weather conditions and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.
Click here to know more about AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird Satellites
