AST SpaceMobile launched its five BlueBird satellites on September 12, seeking to build a constellation of more than 100 satellites in low Earth orbit to provide nationwide coverage across the U.S..
The dawn of massive satellites is upon us, shielding our views of the shimmering cosmos. Five of the largest communication satellites just unfolded in Earth orbit, and this is only the beginning of the Texas startup’s constellation of cellphone towers in space.
AST SpaceMobile seeks to create the first space-based cellular broadband network directly accessible by cell phones. They aren’t the only company trying to build cellular towers in space. SpaceX is building its own constellation of satellites, with more than 6,000 Starlink satellites currently in low Earth orbit. Amazon, OneWeb, and Lynk Global are other companies attempting to get in on the action.
In September 2023, AST SpaceMobile made the first ever 5G phone call between its prototype satellite and a Samsung Galaxy S22. The satellite’s arrays connect directly to standard smartphones at broadband speeds, but that innovation comes at a price…
SOURCE MATERIAL : https://gizmodo.com/largest-commercial-satellites-unfurl-outshining-most-of-the-night-sky-2000516738 October 25, 2024
