AST SpaceMobile Satellite Lost Due to New Glenn Launch Failure

Key Points

• BlueBird 7 satellite placed in an orbit that was too low
• Mission was New Glenn's first using a recycled first-stage booster
• AST SpaceMobile is deorbiting the lost satellite

Full Details

AST SpaceMobile has declared its BlueBird 7 satellite lost after Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket failed to deliver it to the correct orbit. The rocket placed the spacecraft into an orbit that was too low, rendering the satellite non-functional and necessitating its deorbit. The mission was significant as it marked the first time Blue Origin flew a recycled first-stage booster on its flagship New Glenn launcher. Despite the stage recovery, the payload delivery failure mars the rocket's operational record and poses a setback for AST SpaceMobile's constellation plans. The incident underscores the risks associated with commercial launch services even as providers attempt to lower costs through booster reuse.