MIDLAND, Texas, (BUSINESS WIRE) – June 13, 2022 – AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (“AST
SpaceMobile”) (NASDAQ: ASTS), the company building the first and only space-based cellular
broadband network accessible directly by standard mobile phones, has confirmed it plans to
launch its BlueWalker 3 test satellite from Cape Canaveral, FL during the week of August 15,
The actual launch date remains subject to change and is contingent on a number of factors
including, but not limited to, final testing, final integration, ground transport, timely readiness
of the launch vehicle and other unknowns including, but not limited to, weather conditions or
technical problems.
BlueWalker 3 carries a 693-square-foot phased array that is designed to test cellular broadband
communications directly with standard mobile phones, from space, for the first time. AST
SpaceMobile has invested approximately $85 million in the satellite’s development and the
company’s engineers have successfully conducted more than 800 ground tests with BlueWalker- To date, the company has over 2,300 patent and patent-pending claims in support of its
technology. The BlueWalker 3 mission is expected to complete the company’s initial research
and development program and facilitate integration testing with mobile network operators
around the world.
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“The launch of BlueWalker 3 is the culmination of years of effort by our engineers to let us test
connecting the phone in your pocket, with no modifications to the phone, directly with one of
our satellites in space,” said Abel Avellan, Chairman and CEO of AST SpaceMobile. “This
revolutionary technology supports our mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by
more than 5 billion mobile subscribers today moving in and out of coverage, and bring cellular
broadband to approximately half of the world’s population who remain unconnected. We want
to close the gap between the digital ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’.”
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted AST SpaceMobile an experimental
license that allows the company to test BlueWalker 3 satellite-to-phone connectivity in the
United States at sites in Texas and Hawaii. Once BlueWalker 3 is operational, the company
plans to conduct testing on 5 different continents, in coordination with leading mobile network
operators like Vodafone, Rakuten Mobile, Orange and others.
AST SpaceMobile’s investors and strategic partners in support of the company and its mission
are leaders in cellular technology and infrastructure, digital services and the internet, including
Vodafone, Rakuten Mobile and American Tower.
About AST SpaceMobile
AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to
operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and
patent portfolio. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the
connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to
the billions who remain unconnected. For more information, follow AST SpaceMobile on
YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Watch this video
for an overview of the SpaceMobile
mission.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains “forward-looking statements” that are not historical facts, and involve
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results of AST SpaceMobile to differ materially from those
expected and projected. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-
looking terminology, including the words “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,”
“plans,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “potential,” “projects,” “predicts,” “continue,” or “should,” or, in each
case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology.
These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual
results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside AST
SpaceMobile’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but
are not limited to: (i) expectations regarding AST SpaceMobile’s strategies and future financial
performance, including AST’s future business plans or objectives, expected functionality of the
SpaceMobile Service, anticipated timing and level of deployment of satellites, anticipated demand and
acceptance of mobile satellite services, prospective performance and commercial opportunities and
competitors, the timing of obtaining regulatory approvals, ability to finance its research and
development activities, commercial partnership acquisition and retention, products and services,
pricing, marketing plans, operating expenses, market trends, revenues, liquidity, cash flows and uses of
cash, capital expenditures, and AST’s ability to invest in growth initiatives; (ii) the negotiation of
definitive agreements with mobile network operators relating to the SpaceMobile service that would
supersede preliminary agreements and memoranda of understanding; (iii) the ability of AST
SpaceMobile to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its key employees and AST
SpaceMobile’s responses to actions of its competitors and its ability to effectively compete; (iv) changes
in applicable laws or regulations; (v) the possibility that AST SpaceMobile may be adversely affected by
other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (vi) the outcome of any legal proceedings that
may be instituted against AST SpaceMobile; and (vii) other risks and uncertainties indicated in the
Company’s filings with the SEC, including those in the Risk Factors section of AST SpaceMobile’s Form
10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2022.
The actual launch date for the BW3 test satellite remains subject to change and is contingent on a
number of factors, many of which are outside of our control. These factors include, but are not limited
to, final testing, final integration, ground transport, timely readiness of the launch vehicle and other
unknowns such as weather conditions or technical problems. The BW3 test launch may not be
successful or even if successful, may indicate adjustments that are needed or modifications that must be
made, any of which could result in additional costs, which could be material, and delays in our timeline.
If there are material additional costs, we may need to raise additional capital beyond what is currently
contemplated.
AST SpaceMobile cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. AST SpaceMobile cautions
readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the
date made. For information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors
incorporated by reference into AST SpaceMobile’s Form 10-K Registration Statement filed with the SEC
on March 31, 2022. AST SpaceMobile’s securities filings can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the
SEC’s website at www.sec.gov [sec.gov]. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, AST
SpaceMobile disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
