AST Anticipating BlueWalker 3 Satellite Launch in March

AST's BlueWalker 3 test satellite is expected to go up on a SpaceX launch as soon as March and is designed to communicate with cellphones directly using 3rd Generation Partnership Project standard frequencies in a demonstration of the SpaceMobile system design, AST executives told aides to FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr, said an International Bureau filing Tuesday. AST said its Midland, Texas, production facilities will eventually have a production capacity of up to six satellites a month. It said it expects to start commercial service in 2023 with a 20-satellite equatorial constellation to allow North American, European and Asian coverage and then full global coverage. It said it has regulatory approvals in six countries and test authorizations in others.