AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ: ASTS) loses BlueBird 7 but reaffirms 45-satellite 2026 target
Rhea-AI Filing Summary
AST SpaceMobile, Inc. reported that during the New Glenn 3 mission on April 19, 2026, its Block 2 BlueBird 7 satellite was placed into a lower-than-planned orbit, making its altitude too low for sustained operations with its on-board thruster and leading to a decision to de-orbit the satellite. The satellite did separate from the launch vehicle and powered on, and the company expects the cost of BlueBird 7 to be recovered under its insurance policy. BlueBird 7 would have been the company’s eighth satellite in low Earth orbit for its planned space-based cellular broadband network. AST SpaceMobile is in production of Block 2 BlueBird satellites through BlueBird 32, with BlueBird 8 to 10 expected to be ready to ship in approximately 30 days, and it continues to expect an orbital launch every one to two months on average during 2026, targeting about 45 satellites in orbit by the end of 2026.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- Loss of operational satellite asset: BlueBird 7 was placed into an orbit too low for sustained operations and will be de-orbited, removing what would have been the company’s eighth low Earth orbit satellite, which may affect near-term constellation build-out until later satellites launch.
Insights
Loss of BlueBird 7 is partially insured, while deployment targets remain unchanged.
The company states that BlueBird 7 was delivered into a lower-than-planned orbit and cannot operate with its current thruster capability, so it will be de-orbited. This represents the loss of what would have been the eighth satellite in its low Earth orbit constellation.
Management notes that the cost of the satellite is expected to be recovered under an insurance policy, which helps mitigate direct financial impact but does not replace lost capacity or time. The company emphasizes continued production through BlueBird 32 and expects BlueBird 8 to 10 to be ready to ship in about 30 days.
AST SpaceMobile reiterates expectations for an orbital launch every one to two months during 2026 and a target of approximately 45 satellites in orbit by the end of 2026. Actual effects on network ramp-up and service readiness will depend on execution of these launch plans and performance of future missions as disclosed in subsequent filings.
8-K Event Classification
Key Figures
Key Terms
Regulation FD Disclosure regulatory
low Earth orbit technical
forward-looking statements regulatory
emerging growth company regulatory
space-based cellular broadband network financial
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Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
On April 19, 2026, AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release addressing the orbital launch of the Company’s Block 2 BlueBird 7 satellite on the New Glenn launch vehicle. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.
The information included in this Item 7.01 and in Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall such information be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as may be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
Item 8.01. Other Events.
On April 19, 2026, during the New Glenn 3 mission, the Company’s Block 2 BlueBird 7 satellite was placed into a lower than planned orbit by the upper stage of the launch vehicle. While the satellite separated from the launch vehicle and powered on, the altitude is too low to sustain operations with its on-board thruster technology and will be de-orbited. The cost of the satellite is expected to be recovered under the Company’s insurance policy.
BlueBird 7 would have been the Company’s eighth satellite deployed into low Earth orbit and is one of many planned for the Company’s space-based cellular broadband network. The Company is currently in production of Block 2 BlueBird satellites through BlueBird 32, with BlueBird 8 to 10 expected to be ready to ship in approximately 30 days.
The Company continues to expect an orbital launch every one to two months on average during 2026, supported by agreements with multiple launch providers, and it continues to target approximately 45 satellites in orbit by the end of 2026.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Current Report on Form 8-K contains “forward-looking statements” that are not historical facts, and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results of the Company to differ materially from those expected and projected. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “potential,” “projects,” “predicts,” “continue,” or “should,” or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside the Company’s control and are difficult to predict.
Factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (i) expectations regarding the Company’s strategies and future financial performance, including the Company’s future business plans or objectives, expected functionality of the SpaceMobile Service, anticipated timing of the launch of the Block 2 BlueBird satellites, anticipated demand and acceptance of mobile satellite services, prospective performance and commercial opportunities and competitors, the timing of obtaining regulatory approvals, ability to finance its research and development activities, commercial partnership acquisition and retention, products and services, pricing, marketing plans, operating expenses, market trends, revenues, liquidity, cash flows and uses of cash, capital expenditures, and the Company’s ability to invest in growth initiatives; (ii) the negotiation of definitive agreements with mobile network operators relating to the SpaceMobile Service that would supersede preliminary agreements and memoranda of understanding and the ability to enter into commercial agreements with other parties or government entities; (iii) the ability of the Company to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its key employees and the Company’s responses to actions of its competitors and its ability to effectively compete; (iv) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (v) the possibility that the Company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (vi) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company; and (vii) other risks and uncertainties indicated in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including those in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2026.
The Company cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. For information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2026. The Company’s securities filings can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
| Exhibit No. | Description | |
| 99.1 | Press release issued on April 19, 2026 | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| AST SPACEMOBILE, INC. | ||
| Date: April 20, 2026 | By: | /s/ Andrew M. Johnson |
| Andrew M. Johnson | ||
| Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Legal Officer | ||
Exhibit 99.1
AST SpaceMobile Addresses Today’s Orbital Launch of BlueBird 7 on the New Glenn Launch Vehicle
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, addresses today’s orbital launch of BlueBird 7 on the New Glenn launch vehicle.
During the New Glenn 3 mission, BlueBird 7 was placed into a lower than planned orbit by the upper stage of the launch vehicle. While the satellite separated from the launch vehicle and powered on, the altitude is too low to sustain operations with its on-board thruster technology and will de-orbited. The cost of the satellite is expected to be recovered under the company’s insurance policy.
BlueBird 7 would have been AST SpaceMobile’s eighth deployed into low Earth orbit and is one of many planned for its space-based cellular broadband network. The company is currently in production through BlueBird 32, with BlueBird 8 to 10 expected to be ready to ship in approximately 30 days.
The company continues to expect an orbital launch every one to two months on average during 2026, supported by agreements with multiple launch providers, and it continues to target approximately 45 satellites in orbit by the end of 2026.
About AST SpaceMobile
AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio, and designed for both commercial and government applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected. For more information, follow AST SpaceMobile on YouTube, X (Formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and Facebook. Watch this video for an overview of the SpaceMobile mission.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains “forward-looking statements” that are not historical facts, and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results of AST SpaceMobile to differ materially from those expected and projected. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “potential,” “projects,” “predicts,” “continue,” or “should,” or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside AST SpaceMobile’s control and are difficult to predict.
Factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (i) expectations regarding AST SpaceMobile’s strategies and future financial performance, including AST’s future business plans or objectives, expected functionality of the SpaceMobile Service, anticipated timing of the launch of the Block 2 BlueBird satellites, anticipated demand and acceptance of mobile satellite services, prospective performance and commercial opportunities and competitors, the timing of obtaining regulatory approvals, ability to finance its research and development activities, commercial partnership acquisition and retention, products and services, pricing, marketing plans, operating expenses, market trends, revenues, liquidity, cash flows and uses of cash, capital expenditures, and AST SpaceMobile’s ability to invest in growth initiatives; (ii) the negotiation of definitive agreements with mobile network operators relating to the SpaceMobile Service that would supersede preliminary agreements and memoranda of understanding and the ability to enter into commercial agreements with other parties or government entities; (iii) the ability of AST SpaceMobile to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its key employees and AST SpaceMobile’s responses to actions of its competitors and its ability to effectively compete; (iv) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (v) the possibility that AST SpaceMobile may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (vi) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against AST SpaceMobile; and (vii) other risks and uncertainties indicated in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including those in the Risk Factors section of AST SpaceMobile’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2026.
AST SpaceMobile cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. AST SpaceMobile cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. For information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors in AST SpaceMobile’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2026. AST SpaceMobile’s securities filings can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, AST SpaceMobile disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Investor Contact:
Scott Wisniewski
investors@ast-science.com
Media Contact:
Allison
Eva Murphy Ryan
917-547-7289
AstSpaceMobile@allisonpr.com