Engineers Have Established Communication,
Stabilized and Taken Control of the Test Satellite
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 the successful placement of BlueWalker 3 into space.
This press release features multimedia. View
the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220913006326/en/
AST SpaceMobile has confirmed the
successful placement of BlueWalker 3 into space. (Photo: Business
Wire)
The BlueWalker 3 test satellite successfully launched on
Saturday, September 10, 2022, at 9:20 pm EDT from Cape Canaveral,
Florida. Engineers made contact with BlueWalker 3 less than an hour
after take-off, confirming its trajectory.
"BlueWalker 3 is on course and securely circling the earth,"
said Scott Wisniewski, Chief Strategy Officer of AST SpaceMobile.
"The satellite is thermally stable and communicating directly with
ground stations. Our team is now operating from three global
mission control centers, including Maryland, Colorado and
Australia, where we are directly receiving data from BlueWalker
3."
AST SpaceMobile broadcasted live from launch pad 39A before
lifting off, interviewing key partners from American Tower,
Vodafone Group and Nokia. Replays of the show’s executive
interviews, including Chairman and CEO of AST SpaceMobile Abel
Avellan, can be found on the company’s YouTube page.
“A major achievement in our mission to connect the unconnected
has been accomplished," said Abel Avellan, Chairman and CEO of AST
SpaceMobile. “We are working hard to ensure that no one becomes a
second-class citizen, regardless of where they live or work,
because of their lack of access to cellular broadband.”
AST SpaceMobile has a portfolio of more than 2,400 patent- and
patent-pending claims supporting its space-based cellular broadband
technology, with agreements and understandings with over 25 Mobile
Network Operators ("MNOs") globally, who collectively provide
service to over 1.8 billion subscribers. MNOs in the mission's test
plans include Vodafone Group, Rakuten Mobile, AT&T, Orange, and
others.
AST SpaceMobile continues preparations for the assembly and
production of the next phase of satellites called BlueBirds in
Texas. Once BlueWalker 3 is operational following in-orbit testing
and configuration, testing is planned with MNOs and equipment
providers on all 6 inhabited continents.
In-orbit operations and deployment of the BlueWalker 3 satellite
is subject to numerous contingencies and technical factors, which
must occur successfully to enable the mission's goal of testing
direct-to-cell phone broadband connectivity. These factors include,
but are not limited to, opening of the satellite's phased array and
in orbit operation of the satellite's hardware and software
systems.
Follow AST SpaceMobile on social media and the company's website
for further updates on BlueWalker 3’s journey and future progress.
For an explanation of how BlueWalker 3 works, watch this video.
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 planned deployment and testing of the BW3 test satellite may
not be completed due to a variety of factors, which could include
loss of satellite connectivity, destruction of the satellite,
deployment failure of the phased array, hardware or software system
failures, or other communication failures, and even if completed,
the BW3 testing 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
commercializing our service. If there are delays or issues with our
testing, it may become more costly to raise capital, if we are able
to do so at all.
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 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. 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.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220913006326/en/
Investor: Scott Wisniewski investors@ast-science.com
Media: Brandyn Bissinger press@ast-science.com +1 866 845
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