Science & Tech · Space · 6 hrs ago
AST SpaceMobile plans reusable Blacklift rocket, targeting first flight in 2028
AST SpaceMobile is developing a reusable rocket called Blacklift, with its first flight targeted for 2028.
The Texas-based company is building a network of BlueBird satellites that beam internet directly to cell phones.
It has launched 13 BlueBirds so far, using rockets from SpaceX, Blue Origin and India.
Developing its own rocket would give AST SpaceMobile more control over getting satellites into orbit.
Blacklift is designed to carry up to five BlueBirds per launch to low Earth orbit, where the satellite network operates.
Firefly Aerospace will supply engines and engineering services for the first three launches; AST SpaceMobile plans to make the engines itself afterward under a licensing deal.
The company already has contracts to launch more than 100 satellites in 2027 and 2028, while Blacklift is being prepared for its first flight.
AST SpaceMobile announced plans to develop a reusable rocket called Blacklift, with its first flight targeted for 2028.
The Texas-based company says the rocket will launch its BlueBird broadband satellites to low Earth orbit.
Blacklift is designed to carry 20 tons to low Earth orbit, or up to five BlueBird satellites per launch.
Firefly Aerospace will provide engines and engineering services for the first three Blacklift launches.
AST SpaceMobile says building its own rocket will give it more direct access to orbit as it expands its satellite network.
- Who
- AST SpaceMobile, a Texas-based company, announced the plan.
- What
- It is developing Blacklift, a reusable rocket for launching its BlueBird broadband satellites.
- When
- The announcement was made on Nov. 6, 2026. First flight is targeted for 2028.
- Where
- The rocket is intended to carry satellites to low Earth orbit.
- Why
- AST SpaceMobile says Blacklift will provide regular access to orbit and support expansion of its connectivity business.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
AST SpaceMobile has contracts with other providers to launch more than 100 BlueBird satellites.
AST SpaceMobile is targeting Blacklift’s first flight.
- Rocket
- Blacklift
- Target first flight
- 2028
- Payload capacity
- 20 tons to low Earth orbit
- Satellites per launch
- Up to five BlueBirds
- First three launches
- Firefly Aerospace will provide engines and engineering services
- Engine licensing agreement
- About $800 million
3 sources
What people are saying
The Blacklift rocket is the springboard to significantly expand our total addressable market, providing AST SpaceMobile with regular unconstrained access to orbit and providing for most favorable owners’ economics in the industry
The Miranda engine will allow us to leapfrog the traditional five-to-10-year development cycle as we build Blacklift