AST SpaceMobile Delays Smartphone Service to H1 2027 as Blue Origin Blast Adds 3-6 Months
Updated
Updated · SpaceNews · Jun 3
AST SpaceMobile Delays Smartphone Service to H1 2027 as Blue Origin Blast Adds 3-6 Months
3 articles · Updated · SpaceNews · Jun 3
Summary
First-half 2027 is now AST SpaceMobile’s target for initial direct-to-smartphone service after Blue Origin’s May 28 New Glenn launchpad explosion added an estimated three to six months of delay.
At least 45 satellites had been needed in orbit to start early service by late 2026, a plan AST had maintained even after losing its seventh BlueBird satellite on an April 19 New Glenn launch.
Blue Origin is no longer central to AST’s near-term schedule: the company said none of its next few months of missions are booked with Blue Origin and pointed to launcher-agnostic satellites and multiple provider agreements.
SpaceX contracts are already in place, ULA’s Vulcan has been cited as a viable alternative, and AST has also disclosed a standby deal with another heavy launcher.
Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp said New Glenn could fly again before year-end, but William Blair said a near-term return from the damaged Cape Canaveral pad looks unlikely and may force use of third-party infrastructure.