AST SpaceMobile announces development of Blacklift launch vehicle
Texas-based satellite operator AST SpaceMobile plans to enter the launch market by 2028 to secure capacity for its direct-to-cell communication satellite constellation.
AST SpaceMobile, a satellite company focused on providing direct-to-cell communications, is developing a medium-lift rocket dubbed Blacklift. The vehicle is designed to carry a 20-metric-ton payload to low-Earth orbit, with the company targeting late 2028 for the commencement of commercial launch operations.
The strategic shift follows industry-wide constraints in launch availability, which have hindered the deployment of the company's large satellite arrays. By constructing its own delivery system, AST SpaceMobile aims to secure consistent access to orbit and optimize its operational expenditure, bypassing the volatile third-party launch market.
Founder and CEO Abel Avellan described the development as a means to expand the firm's total addressable market and improve its economic efficiency. This pivot represents a significant escalation in the company's operational scope as it moves to integrate the full vertical chain of space-based communications.