AST SpaceMobile Shares Jump on BlueBird Launch Date, Rakuten JV

AST SpaceMobile said BlueBird 11, 12 and 13 are targeted to launch from Cape Canaveral on a SpaceX Falcon 9 in the first half of August. The company noted the three satellites follow last week’s deployment of BlueBirds 8, 9 and 10. Shares rose more than 4%, reversing a two-session decline.

The three satellites are part of the firm’s stackable satellite architecture. Each will carry commercial communications arrays measuring about 2,400 square feet and use advanced composite carbon structures designed for multi-satellite launches. AST expects the new units to deliver nearly double the peak data speeds recorded by the initial Block 1 BlueBirds, which recently achieved downloads of 98.9 Mbps to standard smartphones.

AST said it is producing and assembling satellites through BlueBird 37. Exact launch dates beyond the August window will depend on launch provider readiness, weather conditions and other external factors.

The company disclosed plans to form a joint venture with Rakuten Group to purchase and operate satellites and provide direct-to-smartphone connectivity services in Japan. The size of the planned investment was not disclosed. The venture would enable Rakuten to offer satellite services alongside existing Japanese carriers that provide similar options.

A regulatory filing shows AA Gables 2 has proposed selling 2.5 million shares of AST SpaceMobile Class A common stock, a stake with an estimated market value of about $183 million. Founder and CEO Abel Avellan is listed as the sole member and managing member of AA Gables 2.

AST highlighted its commercial relationships as it scales. The company has strategic agreements with carriers and partners including AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone, Google, Bell, Telus, stc Group and American Tower, and reports deals with nearly 60 mobile network operators representing more than 3 billion subscribers.

Scott Wisniewski, president of AST SpaceMobile, commented, “With each successful launch, we move closer to our goal of making space-based cellular broadband accessible wherever people live, work, and travel.”