Other
Jul 2026AST disclosed that its target for approximately 45 satellites in orbit moved from the end of 2026 to early 2027, reflecting launch-campaign and launch-provider timing risk.
SourceCompany research
Public company, workplace, funding, and market signals
Updated Aug 5, 2026
Overview
AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTS) is building a global low-Earth-orbit cellular broadband network that connects directly to ordinary, unmodified 4G/5G smartphones. It combines large phased-array BlueBird satellites with mobile-network-operator spectrum and terrestrial core networks, targeting coverage gaps for consumer, enterprise, government, and public-safety use.
Primary product
SpaceMobile Service: satellite-delivered 2G/4G-LTE/5G voice, messaging and broadband data directly to standard smartphones, sold through mobile-network-operator partners.
Founded
2017
Headquarters
Midland, Texas, United States (Midland International Air & Space Port).
Team size
Approximately 2,000+ globally as of April 2026; older LinkedIn estimate was 810, so current public figures are inconsistent.
Work style
Onsite
Industry
Telecommunications
Sub-industry
Direct-to-device satellite communications / space-based cellular broadband
Offices
Midland, Texas, United States
New York, New York, United States
Florida, United States
Spain
Israel
India
Scotland
Business model
Revenue sharing with mobile network operators
Wholesale network/service agreements with MNOs
Government and defense contracts
Strategic commercial prepayments and contracted commitments
Funding
Stage
Public company; growth-stage commercial deployment
Latest round
Convertible senior notes offering · Feb 2026
Latest amount
$1.1B
$1.1B
People & investors
Leadership
Abel Avellan
Founder, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Scott Wisniewski
President & Chief Strategy Officer
Andrew Johnson
Chief Financial Officer & Chief Legal Officer
Shanti Gupta
Chief Operating Officer
Dr. Huiwen Yao
Chief Technology Officer
Chris Ivory
Chief Commercial Officer
Maya Bernal
Chief Accounting Officer
Sriram Jayasimha
Chief Scientist, Commercial Applications
Dr. Raymond Sedwick
Chief Scientist, Space Systems
JR Wilson
Chief of Networks & Spectrum
Work & culture
The official careers message emphasizes startup energy, proactive innovators, broad ownership and comfort wearing many hats. Third-party employee reviews indicate mixed views on management communication, work-life balance and job conditions; some manufacturing roles use four 10-hour shifts.
Work style
Onsite
Compensation
Public job postings and third-party salary estimates provide signals but not a company-wide compensation policy. Indeed estimates include approximately $18.33/hour for senior assembler, $22/hour for quality-control associate, $21.45/hour for wire-harness technician and $33.86/hour for mechanic. Engineering postings specify senior-level qualifications but no salary in the retrieved evidence.
Product & market
Pricing
Not yet fully public or standardized; AST expects MNO-led offerings, potentially including revenue sharing, wholesale arrangements, mobile-plan add-ons, day passes, monthly options and emergency connectivity.
Differentiators
- —Direct connectivity to standard, unmodified smartphones without a special antenna or handset
- —Large phased-array satellites designed for broadband rather than messaging only
- —Integration with existing MNO spectrum, networks and customer relationships
- —Approximately 95% vertical integration and major U.S. manufacturing operations
- —Broad global MNO partner ecosystem representing more than 3 billion subscribers
- —Extensive direct-to-device patent portfolio
- —Commercial and government/public-safety use cases
Scale & contact
Estimated revenue
Approximately $50 million-$100 million annually; reported 2025 revenue was $70.9 million.
Signals & risks
Other
Jul 2026The company launched a potential $1 billion share sale and said it may pursue partnerships or acquisitions to vertically integrate and mitigate dependence on third-party launch providers.
SourceOther
Latest news
Business Wire · Aug 2026
Three next-generation BlueBird satellites launched on Falcon 9, expanding the constellation; the company said beta services are targeted later in 2026.
SatNews · Aug 2026
Reported activation of direct-to-device operations in Japan with Rakuten, subject to the limitations of the retrieved secondary source.
Via Satellite · Jul 2026
The company moved its 45-satellite target to early 2027 and disclosed a possible $1 billion equity raise and consideration of launch-related vertical integration.
Business Wire · Apr 2026
Open Positions
209 jobs at AST SpaceMobile
Mechanical Harness Engineer
On-site
Mechanical Engineering
Lanham, Maryland, United States; Midland, Texas, United States
1d ago
On-site
Full-time