AST SpaceMobile

The company is focused on the operation of the SpaceMobile satellite constellation for direct-to-device satellite-based mobile phone coverage.

The planned constellation is based around the in-house BlueBird satellite. The license petition to the United States FCC for use of spectrum involves a constellation that would eventually include 243 communications satellites in 16 orbital planes, sitting at altitudes between 725 and 740 km (Low-Earth Orbit is typically defined at 1,200km altitude). No license has yet been issued by the FCC.

Verizon and Nokia have both partnered with AST SpaceMobile for their services. The first launch of satellites for the constellation is planned for approximately March 2025, with earlier technology demonstrators launched in 2019 and 2022.

• Seed funding rounding came from founder Abel Avellan in 2017.
• Series A funding round of $10 MM raised from Cisneros and others in 2018.
• Series B funding round of $110 MM raised from American Tower, Vodafone, Samsung, Rakuten in early 2020.
• SPAC in late 2020 infused $480 MM into company finances.
• Additional funding in 2022 raised from B Riley for $75 MM.
• Additional funding in 2023 raised from Barclays for $60 MM.

Founded in 2017 by Abel Avellan, the company went public through a SPAC merger in 2020.