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AST SpaceMobile’s 45–60 satellite figure is a planned scale for continuous service in selected markets—not confirmation that 45 satellites are already operating. The company’s FAQ targets 45–60 BlueBird satellites by the end of 2026, but the latest dated launch milestones cited here do not establish the exact number operational in orbit or prove general consumer availability.
What AST SpaceMobile means by 45–60 satellites
AST SpaceMobile describes different satellite counts for different levels of planned service. The figures are company targets, not guarantees of uninterrupted connection at every location.
| Planned satellite count | Service scale described by AST |
|---|---|
| 25 total: five Block 1 and 20 Block 2 | Noncontinuous service in selected markets, according to AST’s 2026 annual report. |
| Approximately 45–60 | Continuous service in selected key markets, including the United States, Europe and Japan, according to the AST SpaceMobile FAQ and annual report. |
| Approximately 90 | Continuous service across all targeted markets, according to the FAQ and annual report. |
AST says coverage depends on factors including the number of active satellites over a region and latitude. “Continuous” is the company’s planned service scale; the satellite count alone does not establish performance at a particular address.
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How many satellites have launched, and how many are operating?
AST’s FAQ lists BlueBird 11, 12 and 13 as launched on August 5, 2026. Its mission-history page records BlueBird 8–10 launching on June 17 and BlueBird 11–13 on August 5. These are launch milestones, not a confirmed operational inventory.
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The company’s FAQ says it is targeting 45–60 satellites by the end of 2026. Treat that as a target, not an achieved count or a scheduled guarantee. AST’s annual report describes an average cadence of approximately one launch every one to two months, while noting that timing depends on assembly and testing, regulatory approvals, launch-vehicle readiness, launch windows, logistics, financing and commercial agreements.
The cited primary sources do not establish the exact number of operational satellites on October 7, 2026. A satellite being launched and a satellite being operational are distinct statuses, so the launch list should not be read as a live count of working spacecraft.
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When will the network work with your phone?
AST describes a carrier-partner service designed to connect ordinary mobile devices when they are outside terrestrial cell coverage. Its FAQ says initial US beta users are expected through AT&T and Verizon. The annual report lists definitive commercial agreements with AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone and STC; it says many other operator relationships are preliminary and need definitive agreements before service can be offered in those jurisdictions.
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Does AST SpaceMobile require a special phone or plan?
AST’s stated model is designed to work with ordinary mobile devices through partner operators, rather than requiring readers to buy a dedicated satellite phone. That design does not by itself confirm that a particular handset, carrier plan or location is eligible. Ask your operator whether your exact device and plan are supported and where service is offered.
AST says operator partners will set prices, which may vary by market. The FAQ gives a day pass, a monthly add-on and emergency use as possible pricing or access formats; these are examples, not confirmed offers currently for sale. Confirm the actual terms with your carrier.
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How to read AST’s coverage claims
- Launched is not the same as operational: dated mission milestones do not prove how many satellites are working.
- Noncontinuous is not continuous: AST assigns different service expectations to its 25-satellite and 45–60-satellite phases.
- Selected markets are not all targeted markets: the company associates roughly 45–60 satellites with selected key markets and roughly 90 with all targeted markets.
- A beta or target is not a retail offer: carrier participation, consumer availability, device eligibility, coverage and price must be verified with the operator.
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