MIDLAND, Texas – Shares of AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTS) climbed as much as 6.9% in premarket trading on Wednesday, Feb. 11, following the company’s announcement of the successful unfolding of its BlueBird 6 satellite antenna.
The event marks a critical operational milestone for the company’s “direct-to-device” (D2D) cellular broadband network, validating its next-generation Block 2 architecture.
BlueBird 6, which launched in late December 2025, is the first of the company’s larger production satellites to reach full operational configuration in 2026.
Context: Scaling the D2D Revolution
The successful unfolding of BlueBird 6 is the first of several high-stakes deployments scheduled for the first quarter of 2026. AST SpaceMobile is currently in a race to build a constellation capable of providing “intermittent nationwide” service in the United States, supported by partners AT&T and Verizon.
While the company faced skepticism over its aggressive launch manifest in late 2025, the successful unfurling of this record-breaking array provides technical validation for its 95% vertically integrated manufacturing process. The company currently operates 500,000 square feet of manufacturing space in Texas to support its goal of building six satellites per month.
Technical Specifications: BlueBird 6 vs. Block 1
The Block 2 BlueBird represents a significant leap in capacity over the original BlueBird 1-5 satellites:
- Array Size: Approximately 2,400 square feet—three times larger than previous versions.
- Data Throughput: Capable of peak data speeds up to 120 Mbps, offering up to ten times the bandwidth capacity of Block 1.
- Connectivity: Designed to connect directly to standard, unmodified 4G and 5G smartphones using premium low-band spectrum (850 MHz).
- Beamforming: The massive aperture enables highly precise beamforming, allowing for narrower coverage areas and minimized signal interference.
Executive Commentary
“BlueBird 6 is a breakthrough moment for AST SpaceMobile,” stated Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman, and CEO. “This launch validates years of U.S. innovation and American manufacturing… and marks the transition to scaled deployment. We are firmly on the path to delivering true space-based cellular broadband directly to everyday smartphones, at a global scale.“
Next Steps: The Road to 60 Satellites
With BlueBird 6 operational, the company is shifting focus to its next major milestone: the launch of BlueBird 7 aboard Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, currently scheduled for no earlier than late February 2026.
The New Glenn mission is expected to carry multiple satellites, accelerating the deployment rate required to reach AST’s year-end goal of 45 to 60 satellites in orbit. Achieving this target would enable the transition from intermittent to continuous cellular broadband service across the U.S., Europe, and Japan by late 2026.