AST SpaceMobile, Inc. ("AST SpaceMobile") (NASDAQ: ASTS), 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 it will support STR, the prime contractor, under a U.S. Space Force (USSF) contract.
This effort supports an additional phase of technology development to advance sensing capabilities using AST SpaceMobile’s commercially developed space-based technologies. The work is being performed under a government program intended to evaluate and leverage commercial innovation for national security applications.
AST SpaceMobile has worked with STR on related efforts drawing on prior on-orbit experience. This work builds on that technical foundation and reflects the potential of commercially developed dual-use technology, to support evolving government needs.
“The technology and platform capabilities of our BlueBird spacecraft combine proprietary design, the largest phased array ever deployed in low Earth orbit, and a multi-frequency architecture that can support millions of users and dozens of use cases across airborne, maritime, and ground domains,” said Chris Ivory, Chief Executive Officer of AST SpaceMobile Defense. “Our experience deploying phased arrays in low Earth orbit, combined with deep engineering expertise and technology supported by more than 3,900 patent and patent-pending claims, demonstrates the potential of our platform to support commercial applications and the technology-development activities being evaluated under this contract.”
AST SpaceMobile’s next-generation BlueBird platform combines advanced connectivity and onboard processing with a scalable architecture. Designed to support an expanding range of commercial and government applications, including communications and other potential mission needs, the platform can evolve as new capabilities and requirements emerge.
The BlueBird spacecraft are assembled, integrated, and tested at AST SpaceMobile’s facilities in Midland Texas, reflecting the company’s commitment to U.S.-based innovation and manufacturing. AST SpaceMobile operates over 500,000 square feet of manufacturing and operations facilities worldwide and employs a workforce of more than 2,250 people.