Three more AST SpaceMobile direct-to-cell satellites reach orbit

A SpaceX Falcon 9 launched AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 11, 12 and 13 satellites from Cape Canaveral and deployed them to low Earth orbit, taking the company’s fleet to 13. AST says each next-generation array is about 2,400 square feet and is designed to deliver broadband directly to ordinary mobile phones. Commercial beta service and throughput remain prospective company claims.

Impact: direct-to-device constellations could extend coverage without specialist handsets, but business viability depends on deployment cadence, spectrum, mobile-network integration, orbital capacity and demonstrated service quality.