Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket to launch AST SpaceMobile's huge BlueBird smartphone satellites

Illustration of a white rocket high in earth's atmosphere.

AST SpaceMobile, a startup with plans for a direct-to-cellphone satellite service constellation, has chosen Blue Origin to launch some of its next-gen satellites.

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket — which is currently undergoing preparations in Florida for its first-ever liftoff — and "existing launch vehicles" will together loft up to around 60 Block 2 BlueBird satellites across 2025 and 2026, according to a Nov. 14 statement. New Glenn will be capable of launching eight BlueBirds at a time, the statement adds.