Blue Origin New Glenn Misplaces AST Satellite

AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) said in a press release on April 19, 2026, that Blue Origin’s New Glenn NG-3 mission placed its BlueBird 7 satellite into a lower-than-planned orbit. The satellite will be de-orbited and removed from the company’s planned constellation, but insurance will cover the loss.

New Glenn Flight and Anomaly

The New Glenn NG-3 mission was the rocket’s third flight and the first to reuse booster GS1-002, nicknamed "Never Tell Me The Odds." The first stage performed nominally and the booster landed successfully on an Atlantic maritime platform after liftoff from LC-36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

AST SpaceMobile said the launch vehicle’s upper stage placed BlueBird 7 into a lower orbit than intended. The satellite separated and powered on normally, but its altitude is too low for sustained operations or thruster correction. As a result, it will de-orbit and exit the firm’s network buildout.

AST SpaceMobile Outlook

AST SpaceMobile plans to continue production through BlueBird-32, with shipments of BlueBird-8 through BlueBird-10 expected in about 30 days. The company targets roughly 45 satellites in orbit by the end of 2026.

BlueBird 7 is a Block 2 satellite featuring a phased-array antenna covering about 2,400 square feet. It is designed to deliver direct-to-smartphone 4G and 5G broadband at speeds up to approximately 120 megabits per second.

The company said the satellite’s cost is expected to be recovered under its insurance policy, limiting near-term cash exposure while manufacturing and scheduled deliveries continue toward its deployment plan.

"During the New Glenn 3 mission, BlueBird 7 was placed into a lower than planned orbit by the upper stage of the launch vehicle." — AST SpaceMobile press release