AST SpaceMobile has pushed back the expected timing of its launch campaign to early 2027, the company disclosed this week. The company also launched a share sale to raise $1 billion, mentioning it may consider vertical integration in launch.
AST SpaceMobile is working toward the milestone of 45 BlueBird satellites in orbit and previously stated it would hit this number by the end of the year, despite the fact that one of its launch vehicles, Blue Origin’s New Glenn, is out of service.
The company disclosed in an SEC filing on July 15 that the timing to reach 45 satellites is now “early 2027.” It has launched 10 satellites so far, after the most recent SpaceX Falcon 9 mission in June launched three BlueBirds.
“The timing of launch of the BB satellites is contingent on a number of factors including satisfactory and timely completion of the assembly and testing of the BB satellites, readiness of the launch vehicle, logistics and other factors, many of which are beyond its control,” AST SpaceMobile said.
The company needs 45 to 60 BlueBird satellites in orbit to provide continuous service in key markets including the United States, Europe, Japan, leadership told investors in May.
In addition, AST SpaceMobile announced a share sale to raise up to $1 billion, indicating it could look to pursue vertical integration in launch. The capital raise could potentially fund “partnerships and/or acquisitions to further vertically integrate its business and mitigate risks associated with third-party launch providers,” the filing said.
The company said it does not have any understandings or agreements in place at this point.
It also disclosed “advanced discussions” with Japanese company Rakuten about a joint venture related to the Japanese Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) program J-LEO to build a sovereign direct-to-device (D2D) constellation in Japan. The Japanese government is awarding Rakuten 148 billion yen (nearly $1 billion) to build a satellite communications network.
AST SpaceMobile said it is in “advanced discussions,” but there is “no assurance that the joint venture will be finalized.”
