AST SpaceMobile launches BlueBird satellites, nearly doubling speeds for smartphone network

AST SpaceMobile successfully launched three BlueBird satellites on August 5, 2026. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried BlueBird 11, 12, and 13 into orbit from Cape Canaveral.

These next-generation satellites aim to provide cellular broadband directly to unmodified smartphones. The new hardware delivers peak download speeds nearly double those of the initial Block 1 satellites.

The deployment expands the constellation ahead of a scheduled Q2 2026 business update on August 10. AST SpaceMobile remains on track to launch beta services later this year.