Building a rocket is hard. AST SpaceMobile thinks it's "simple."
Summary
AST SpaceMobile plans to develop the Blacklift rocket to launch its Bluebird satellites, citing limited access to commercial launches. The company says the rocket will carry five satellites per flight and aims to begin launches in 2028, using engines from Firefly Aerospace.Key Facts
- AST SpaceMobile founder and CEO Abel Avellan presented plans for the Blacklift rocket.
- AST says Blacklift will have a 20-metric-ton lift capacity and carry five Bluebird satellites to low Earth orbit per launch.
- The planned rocket will have three stages, composite tanks, and a reusable first stage.
- AST plans to launch Blacklift twice a month from Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
- AST has committed $1.3 billion to acquire engines for the first three Blacklift launches and obtain a license to manufacture more engines.
- The Miranda first-stage engine has not completed formal qualification testing and has not flown on an orbital rocket.
- Firefly Aerospace CEO Jason Kim said Miranda qualification testing is still underway.
- AST has not provided specifics on how it will finance Blacklift's development.
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