Space Act Agreement formalizes existing
cooperation to protect assets in low Earth orbit
AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTS), the company building the
first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible
directly by standard mobile phones, today announced that its
subsidiary, AST & Science, LLC, and NASA recently signed an
agreement to formalize both organizations’ dedication to
maintaining and improving safety in the shared environment of
space.
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the full release here:
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AST SpaceMobile and NASA sign Space Act
Agreement (Photo: BusinessWire)
The Space Act Agreement formalizes the prompt, detailed, and
open sharing of information between AST SpaceMobile and NASA,
enabling a deeper level of coordination, cooperation, and data
sharing, defining the arrangement, responsibilities, and procedures
for flight safety coordination.
“Space is a shared resource that must remain safe and available
to all. We are committed to using advanced technologies and best
practices to protect this vital resource,” said Raymond Sedwick,
Chief Scientist of Space Systems at AST SpaceMobile. “This
agreement formalizes a commitment between AST SpaceMobile and NASA
to share information and help safeguard low Earth orbit.”
AST SpaceMobile will collaborate with NASA’s Conjunction
Assessment Risk Analysis program to generate better flight safety
preparedness and practices using a Conjunction Assessment process.
AST SpaceMobile will upload predicted trajectory information on an
ongoing basis for its BlueWalker 3 test satellite and planned
future BlueBird satellites with the U.S. Space Force through a
website called Space-Track.org. U.S. Space Force will screen the
data for any potential conjunctions or encounters between objects
up to a week ahead of time.
BlueWalker 3, launched on September 10, 2022, is equipped with a
high-impulse, low-thrust maneuvering system to help steer the
spacecraft. AST SpaceMobile’s planned commercial satellites, called
BlueBirds — which are being designed to provide 4G/5G cellular
broadband from space across the globe on land, at sea and in the
air with ion propulsion and other means of maneuvering to help
maintain and protect low Earth orbit.
Once BlueWalker 3 is operational following in-orbit testing and
configuration, testing is planned with mobile network operators
(“MNOs”) and equipment providers on all 6 inhabited continents,
using unmodified cell phones from various manufacturers. MNOs in
the mission’s test plans include Vodafone Group, Rakuten Mobile,
AT&T, Orange, and others. AST SpaceMobile has agreements and
understandings with MNO’s globally that have over 1.8 billion
existing subscribers, and a portfolio of more than 2,600 patent and
patent-pending claims supporting its space-based cellular broadband
technology.
Follow AST SpaceMobile on social media and the company’s website
for further updates on BlueWalker 3’s journey and future
progress.
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 testing of the BlueWalker 3 (“BW3”) test satellite
may not be completed due to a variety of factors, which could
include loss of satellite connectivity, destruction of the
satellite, or other communication failures, and even if completed
as planned, 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. The production and launch of our
BlueBird satellites may not be completed as currently contemplated
due to a variety of factors, which could include results of BW3
testing, challenges in completing our assembly and production
facility, launch difficulties, or supply chain shortages, any of
which could result in additional costs or delays, which could be
material. If there are delays or issues with our testing of BW3 or
production and launch of BlueBird satellites, 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/20221215006028/en/
Investor: Scott Wisniewski
investors@ast-science.com
Media: Brandyn Bissinger
press@ast-science.com +1 866 845 6521
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