AST SpaceMobile reported third-quarter 2026 results alongside an update on its satellite network, manufacturing plans and launch capacity. The company is targeting initial, intermittent service in the United States and other key markets before year-end, while preparing to deploy satellites at a faster pace in 2027 and 2028.
The release also announced $1 billion in non-dilutive funding from Japan and plans for a proprietary reusable rocket. The release text provided here does not include quarterly revenue, earnings, cash-flow or liquidity figures.
Key details
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Service rollout: AST SpaceMobile expects initial, intermittent coverage in the United States and other key markets before the end of 2026. The first rollout is aimed at strategic partners in the United States, Canada, Japan, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.
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Mobile-network partnerships: The company said it expects to work with all major mobile network operators in the United States and Europe. Its potential partner network includes more than 60 operators representing over 3 billion subscribers. AST also said it validated satellite beam handovers between ground-based and space-based cellular networks with AT&T in the United States.
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Spectrum and regulatory access: AST is targeting access to about 100 MHz of spectrum in the United States and more than 60 MHz globally, depending on the market, through a combination of mobile-operator spectrum and its own mobile-satellite-service spectrum. Brazil has authorized commercial service using a combined 50 MHz of S-band and low-band spectrum.
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Manufacturing ramp: The company expects to reach a production rate of six satellites per month in December 2026, with two Texas factories operating full shifts. Production has advanced through BlueBird 51. AST is also moving a next-generation ASIC chip into BlueBird 34, rather than waiting until BlueBird 50. The chip is designed to provide 10 times the processing bandwidth of the company’s in-orbit Block 1 satellites.
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Satellites and launches: BlueBirds 11, 12 and 13 have unfolded and are operating in orbit. BlueBirds 14, 15 and 16 were shipped to Cape Canaveral in September, pending confirmation of a SpaceX launch date. BlueBirds 17, 18 and 19 are expected to ship by the end of November for a Blue Origin launch anticipated in early 2027. BlueBirds 20 through 25 are scheduled to ship in December and January for launches expected in the first quarter of 2027. AST is targeting about 45 satellites in orbit by mid-2027.
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Deployment plans and government priority: Launch agreements with SpaceX, Blue Origin and other providers are expected to support deployment of more than 100 BlueBird satellites in aggregate during 2027 and 2028. AST also secured a U.S. priority rating under the Defense Priorities and Allocations System for its dual-use government and commercial satellite program, providing priority access for covered activities. The company said the rating applies to planned launches as it expands access to launch capacity for government missions.
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New rocket: AST announced Blacklift, a planned 20-ton reusable rocket intended to carry BlueBird satellites to low Earth orbit. The company expects launches to begin in late 2028, using its Miranda and Vira engines. AST says the rocket is intended to give it more control over launch availability and deployment schedules, as well as improve launch economics.
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Japanese funding: Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is providing $1 billion in non-dilutive funding for the manufacturing and launch of midband satellites.
Plain-English implications
AST’s near-term service plans depend on turning its current satellite and manufacturing progress into a functioning network, while its larger deployment targets rely on a mix of outside launch providers and, from late 2028, its planned Blacklift rocket. The Japanese funding is designated for midband satellite manufacturing and launches; the company describes it as non-dilutive, meaning it is not being raised by issuing shares.