SpaceX is set to launch three massive direct-to-cell satellites from Florida on June 17, and you can watch the action live. This launch marks a significant milestone for AST SpaceMobile, as it will quadruple the number of next-gen satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO).
The BlueBird satellites are designed to beam internet service directly to cell phones, and the next-gen models have antennas that cover nearly 2,400 square feet when unfurled, making them the largest commercial communications arrays ever deployed in space. This launch will send BlueBird 8, BlueBird 9, and BlueBird 10 aloft, expanding AST SpaceMobile's ability to support seamless space-based broadband mobile connectivity.
This launch is particularly interesting because it comes on the heels of a previous launch that didn't go according to plan. On April 19, BlueBird 7 was deployed in the wrong orbit after an anomaly on Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket, resulting in the satellite being lost. This launch presents an opportunity for AST SpaceMobile to demonstrate the reliability and success of its next-gen satellites.
The Falcon 9 rocket, topped with the three BlueBird spacecraft, is scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station during a 96-minute window that opens at 2:39 a.m. EDT. The launch will be live-streamed on Space.com and YouTube, allowing viewers to witness the action as it unfolds.
The launch also marks a significant achievement for SpaceX, as the Falcon 9's upper stage will deploy the three BlueBirds in a 10.5-minute span, followed by the rocket's first stage returning to Earth on the drone ship "A Shortfall of Gravitas." This will be the 29th launch and landing for this particular booster, showcasing SpaceX's expertise in reusable rocket technology.
In my opinion, this launch is a testament to the rapid advancements in satellite technology and the growing demand for space-based internet services. As the number of satellites in LEO continues to grow, we can expect to see even more innovative applications and services emerge, potentially revolutionizing global connectivity.
