AST SpaceMobile
Company typePublic
Nasdaq: ASTS
IndustrySpace
Founded2017; 7 years ago (2017)
Headquarters
Midland, Texas
,
USA
Key people
Websiteast-science.com

AST SpaceMobile is a publicly traded satellite designer and manufacturer based in Midland, Texas, United States.[2][3] The company is building the SpaceMobile satellite constellation, a space-based cellular broadband network that will allow existing, unmodified smartphones to connect to satellites in areas with coverage gaps.[4] Its BlueWalker 3 prototype satellite is the largest commercial communications array in low Earth orbit after launch in 2022.[5][6][7]

History

AST SpaceMobile was founded in May 2017 by Abel Avellan as AST & Science LLC.[4][8] Avellan remains the chairman and chief executive officer of the company.[9][10] Originally from Venezuela, Avellan is a United States citizen who previously worked for Swedish telecommunications conglomerate Ericsson.[11] In 1999, Avellan founded Emerging Markets Communications, a satellite-based communications services provider to maritime and other mobility markets, which was acquired in 2016 for US$550 million.[1][2]

AST & Science purchased a controlling interest in NanoAvionics, a Lithuanian satellite manufacturing company, on March 6, 2018.[12][13]

In March 2020, AST & Science LLC announced a Series B investment round, led by Vodafone and Rakuten, that raised $110 million for the company.[14] Samsung Next, American Tower, and Cisneros also participated.[15]

New Providence's first SPAC announced in April 2021 that its shareholders had approved a proposal to form AST SpaceMobile in a business combination with AST & Science LLC..[16][17][18] AST SpaceMobile began to trade on the Nasdaq in the week after that announcement.[19] New Providence had raised $462 million through an initial public offering (IPO) and a Private Investment in Public Equity (PIPE) to fully fund the development and first phase of its satellite constellation.[20][21]

AST SpaceMobile does not expect to begin generating revenue until the company launches its operational satellites.[22] The mobile network operators with whom the company has agreements and understandings collectively serve over 1.8 billion existing subscribers.[23]

In July 2022, Nokia announced that it had won a five-year 4G and 5G deal from AST SpaceMobile.[24]

AST SpaceMobile sold its majority ownership stake in NanoAvionics to Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace in September 2022.[3][4]

Deployment

BlueWalker 1, the first satellite of AST & Science LLC, was launched on April 1, 2019 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India on the 47th mission of the Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C45).[25] Lithuanian smallsat company NanoAvionics built BlueWalker 1.[26] The satellite decayed from orbit on 29 November 2023.[27]

In July 2021, AST SpaceMobile announced an agreement with SpaceX to launch its second satellite, BlueWalker 3.[5][28][29] It successfully launched on September 10, 2022, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A.[30][31] The 693-square-foot (64 m2) antenna array of BlueWalker 3 was successfully unfolded to full deployment on November 10, 2022.[32] AST SpaceMobile expects BlueWalker 3 to have a field of view of over 300,000 square miles on Earth.[23] As of November 2022, BlueWalker 3 maintains low Earth orbit at an altitude between approximately 508 and 527 km (316 and 327 mi).[33] On April 25 2023, AST SpaceMobile made the world's first space-based two-way telephone call with unmodified smartphones (a Samsung Galaxy S22 and an Apple iPhone) using the satellite. The call was made from Midland, Texas to Japan using an AT&T 2G cellular frequency spectrum.[34]

In March 2022, AST SpaceMobile announced a multi-launch contract with SpaceX to launch its first BlueBird operational satellite.[35][36] AST SpaceMobile states that it will be able to produce up to six BlueBird satellites per month at two manufacturing sites in Midland, Texas.[37][38] The company has attributed delays in the deployment schedule of its operational satellites to supply chain issues and price increases.[39] In March 2023, AST SpaceMobile stated that it expects to launch the first five Block 1 BlueBird satellites in early 2024.[40]

Licenses

In April 2020, AST & Science LLC petitioned the Federal Communications Commission for permission to operate a constellation of 243 communications satellites in 16 orbital planes at altitudes between 725 and 740 km (450 and 460 mi).[41]

In October 2020, NASA filed a letter with the FCC during the public-comment period related to this petition to express concerns about the risk of collisions between the SpaceMobile satellite constellation and the A-train satellite constellation, due to the proposed orbital altitude for SpaceMobile as well as the size and scale of the SpaceMobile project.[42][43][44][45] In November 2020, NASA submitted a second letter to the FCC to revise its original stance as a result of AST SpaceMobile's demonstrated interest in collaborating with NASA to mitigate risks.[46] In its second letter, NASA stated that technical concerns "need not preclude the issuance of the requested license" and that NASA had no concern with the license being granted.[47] Three United States Senators and one United States Congressman also filed letters with the FCC in support of SpaceMobile.[48]

United States wireless provider AT&T has partnered with AST SpaceMobile in a joint effort to provide satellite-based wireless service to remote areas of its coverage area.[49][50][51] AT&T has filed a letter with the FCC in support of the petition for a license to operate in the United States, while AT&T's major competitors T-Mobile and Verizon have asked the FCC to deny such a license.[48]

In May 2022, the FCC granted AST SpaceMobile an experimental license to connect to the BlueWalker 3 satellite.[52] The FCC has neither granted nor denied a license for AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird operational satellites.[53]

Impact on astronomy

BW3 imaged from the ground by M. Tzukran
Trail of BlueWalker 3 crossing the night sky, taken in Tucson, Arizona, on 20 November 2022.

The SpaceMobile constellation has drawn criticism for its potential contribution to light pollution in the night sky, as well as radio-frequency interference with certain telescopes that operate outside of the visible light spectrum.[5][7]

Observations of BlueWalker 3 were obtained after it unfolded into a large flat-panel shape in November 2022. The measurements indicate that the fully deployed satellite is very bright and usually approaches first magnitude when it is near the zenith.[54]

Follow-up observations revealed three deep but temporary periods of reduced brightness. The dimming was attributed to a change in the orientation of the flat-panel needed in order to boost solar power generation.[55] This finding indicated that the satellite operator can reduce the luminosity of their constellation and mitigate its adverse impact on astronomy by making a small adjustment to the spacecraft orientation.

Additional criticism was focused on the proliferation of similar satellites being developed by AST SpaceMobile which - as a group - could have a deleterious impact to the science of astronomy.[56] Notes the New York Times, "they create bright trails and an ambient glow in the sky that can destroy astronomical images and obscure fainter celestial objects that would otherwise be visible to the naked eye."[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Our Team". AST SpaceMobile. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  2. ^ "Space, the financial frontier". Financial Times. June 11, 2021.
  3. ^ Anderson IV, Edmund T. (April 12, 2022). "Opinion: MC should reconsider decision about aviation maintenance school". Midland Reporter-Telegram. Archived from the original on May 31, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "A new firm says it can link satellites to ordinary smartphones". The Economist.
  5. ^ a b c d Ferreira, Becky (October 2, 2023). "A New Satellite Outshines Some of the Brightest Stars in the Sky - Astronomers warn that BlueWalker 3, a test spacecraft with a large array of antennas, could be the first of many larger satellites in low-Earth orbit that interfere with astronomical observations". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  6. ^ Howell, Elizabeth (November 16, 2022). "BlueWalker 3 satellite unfurls biggest commercial communications array ever". Space.com. Archived from the original on November 21, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  7. ^ a b "Giant satellite outshines stars, sparking fresh concerns for astronomers". www.science.org. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  8. ^ Sheetz, Michael (December 16, 2020). "Satellite-to-smartphone broadband company AST & Science to go public through a SPAC". CNBC.
  9. ^ Fildes, Nic (May 16, 2020). "Africa races to fill telecoms 'not spots'". Financial Times.
  10. ^ "10-Q". www.sec.gov. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  11. ^ "Abel Avellan wants to connect your mobile phone to space". Rakuten Today. March 17, 2020. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  12. ^ Russell, Kendall (March 9, 2018). "AST&Science Announces Majority Investment in NanoAvionics". Via Satellite. Archived from the original on March 16, 2018. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  13. ^ "Subsidiaries of AST SpaceMobile, Inc". sec.gov. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  14. ^ "Vodafone & Rakuten lead investors in SpaceMobile – Company Announcement - FT.com". markets.ft.com.
  15. ^ Henry, Caleb (March 5, 2020). "Megaconstellation startup raises $110 million to connect smartphones via satellite". SpaceNews. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  16. ^ "New Providence Acquisition Corp. Stockholders Approve Business Combination with AST & Science". www.businesswire.com. April 1, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  17. ^ Sheetz, Michael (April 1, 2021). "Satellite company AST SpaceMobile expects to close SPAC deal next week and begin trading on Nasdaq". CNBC.
  18. ^ "Satellite Firm AST is Going Public in Blank-Check Deal". Bloomberg.com. December 16, 2020.
  19. ^ Sheetz, Michael (April 7, 2021). "AST SpaceMobile shares rise as the space SPAC stock begins trading on the Nasdaq". CNBC.
  20. ^ "SPAC I - ASTS STOCK - New Providence Corp". New Providence Management. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  21. ^ Sheetz, Michael (December 16, 2020). "Satellite-to-smartphone broadband company AST & Science to go public through a SPAC". CNBC. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  22. ^ "March 31, 2022 - 10-K: Annual report for year ending December 31, 2021Open document". March 31, 2022.
  23. ^ a b "AST SpaceMobile Deploys Largest-Ever Commercial Communications Array in Low Earth Orbit". www.businesswire.com. November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  24. ^ "Nokia Radio Technology to Enable AST SpaceMobile's Direct-to-cell Phone Connectivity From Space". www.businesswire.com. July 28, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  25. ^ "AST & Science Announces Successful Launch of Its First Satellite". AST SpaceMobile. Midland, Texas. April 23, 2019. Archived from the original on November 16, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  26. ^ "Two NanoAvionics Satellites were Launched with PSLV-C45, Communications Established Successfully". NanoAvionics. April 8, 2019. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  27. ^ "BLUEWALKER 1". N2YO.com. November 29, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  28. ^ "BlueWalker 3". AST SpaceMobile. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  29. ^ "AST SpaceMobile Announces Launch Services Agreement to Deploy 693-Square-Foot Phased Array Spacecraft for Direct-to-Cell Phone Connectivity Testing". www.businesswire.com. July 29, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  30. ^ Starlink Mission, retrieved November 16, 2022
  31. ^ AST SpaceMobile's BlueWalker 3 direct-to-cell test satellite launches to orbit from Cape Canaveral, retrieved November 14, 2022
  32. ^ 3D model of AST SpaceMobile's BlueWalker 3 satellite unfolding in orbit, retrieved November 14, 2022
  33. ^ "BLUEWALKER 3 satellite details". N2YO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  34. ^ Weatherbed, Jess (April 26, 2023). "AT&T-backed satellite connects an everyday audio call from space". The Verge. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  35. ^ "SpaceX [REDACTED] Launch Services Multi Launch Agreement". www.sec.gov. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  36. ^ "AST SpaceMobile Announces Multi-Launch Agreement With SpaceX for Planned Direct-to-Cell Phone Connectivity". www.businesswire.com. March 9, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  37. ^ Avellan, Abel [@AbelAvellan] (October 28, 2022). "While our Maryland team preps to unfold BlueWalker 3, the Midland team is tasked on BlueBirds planned for launch next year! Our two sites in Texas will have a combined 185,000 sq ft of space for manufacturing up to six BlueBirds per month. #5G 📶🇺🇸🤠" (Tweet). Retrieved November 15, 2022 – via Twitter.
  38. ^ Robinson, Rachel (September 12, 2022). "Midland-based company launches satellite into space". newswest9.com. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  39. ^ Rainbow, Jason (August 16, 2022). "AST SpaceMobile delays commercial satellite debut by six months". SpaceNews. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  40. ^ Rainbow, Jason (March 31, 2023). "AST SpaceMobile discloses further satellite delays and cost increases". SpaceNews. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  41. ^ "Attachment Petition SAT-PDR-20200413-00034". fcc.report. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  42. ^ Fonder, Samantha (October 30, 2020). "NASA comments to AS" (PDF). licensing.fcc.gov. Archived from the original on November 10, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  43. ^ "NASA Makes a Surprise Statement, Calling Out Private Space Start-up for Big Risks". The New York Observer. November 3, 2020.
  44. ^ "Star wars: why Nasa objects to Elon Musk's space race". Financial Times. February 23, 2022.
  45. ^ "Texas satellite company defends itself against NASA criticisms". Ars Technica. November 5, 2020. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  46. ^ "Policymakers oblige 5G satellite aspirants". Light Reading. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  47. ^ Fonder, Samantha (November 20, 2020). "NASA Response to AST" (PDF). licensing.fcc.gov. Archived from the original on April 30, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  48. ^ a b "FCC INTERNATIONAL BUREAU File Number = SATPDR2020041300034". licensing.fcc.gov. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  49. ^ Moritz, Scott (October 5, 2022). "AT&T CEO Says His Satellite Service Has Lead on Musk's". www.bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  50. ^ Shields, Todd; Moritz, Scott (November 14, 2022). "Direct-to-Satellite Cell-Phone Service Poised For Another Try". www.bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  51. ^ Sheetz, Michael (November 14, 2022). "AST SpaceMobile hits key milestone toward satellite-to-smartphone 5G service". CNBC. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  52. ^ "FCC Grants AST SpaceMobile Experimental License". Satellite Today. May 3, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  53. ^ O’Callaghan, Jonathan (September 9, 2022). "Huge satellite could outshine all stars and planets in the night sky". New Scientist. Archived from the original on October 8, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  54. ^ Mallama, A.; Cole, R.E.; Harrington, S.; Maley, P.D. (November 30, 2022). Visual magnitude of the BlueWalker 3 satellite (Report). arXiv:2211.09811.
  55. ^ Mallama, A.; Cole, R.E.; Tilley, S.; Bassa, C.; Harrington, S. (May 1, 2022). BlueWalker 3 satellite brightness characterized and modeled (Report). arXiv:2305.00831.
  56. ^ Nandakumar, S., Eggl, S., Tregloan-Reed, J. et al. The high optical brightness of the BlueWalker 3 satellite. Nature (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06672-7
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