AST SpaceMobile, a competitor to SpaceX’s Starlink, has announced plans to launch a groundbreaking satellite prototype named FM1. This second-generation BlueBird satellite is designed to demonstrate advanced capabilities in satellite connectivity and aims to revolutionize communication technology.
AST SpaceMobile has clarified that FM1 will serve as a testing and demonstration mission, with potential commercial applications pending regulatory approval.
The FM1 satellite, significantly larger than its predecessors, boasts an impressive size of 223 square meters—three times the size of first-generation BlueBird satellites. Scheduled for launch in the second quarter of 2025, the satellite will operate in low Earth orbit at an altitude of 520 kilometers. AST SpaceMobile has clarified that FM1 will serve as a testing and demonstration mission, with potential commercial applications pending regulatory approval.
The satellite is expected to enhance connectivity by utilizing V-Band radio spectrum and integrating with AT&T and Verizon’s licensed frequencies. Additionally, FM1 will play a critical role in AST SpaceMobile’s collaboration with the U.S. Department of Defense, supported by a $43 million contract from the U.S. Space Force.
This ambitious project underscores AST SpaceMobile’s commitment to advancing satellite technology and providing global connectivity solutions, positioning itself as a formidable rival to Starlink in the race for space-based communication dominance.
