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AST SpaceMobile Encapsulates BlueBird 7 Satellite for Inaugural New Glenn Mission

AST SpaceMobile announced that its BlueBird 7 (BB7) satellite has been encapsulated inside the 7‑meter payload fairing of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, marking the final major milestone before the NG‑3 launch from Cape Canaveral. BB7 is a Block 2 satellite featuring a 2,400 sq ft phased‑array antenna and the AST5000 ASIC, delivering up to 120 Mbps directly to unmodified smartphones. The larger fairing allows AST to potentially launch up to eight Block 2 satellites per flight, supporting its plan to deploy 45‑60 satellites by year‑end under a multi‑launch agreement with Blue Origin. The launch, slated for late February 2026, will also serve as a validation of New Glenn’s booster reuse for heavy‑lift commercial payloads.