Blue Origin New Glenn Misplaces AST Satellite
Blue Origin New Glenn misplaces an AST SpaceMobile satellite; AST SpaceMobile said insurance and ongoing production should limit near-term financial impact.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- AST SpaceMobile said BlueBird 7 was placed into a lower-than-planned orbit and will be de-orbited.
- The company expects insurance recovery to cover the satellite's cost and limit near-term cash exposure.
- Production continues toward BlueBird-32 with shipments of BlueBird-8 through BlueBird-10 in about 30 days.
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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
