NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

BlueBird Block 1 #1-5

Launch Time
Thu Sep 12, 2024 08:52 UTC
Watch | Article

Rocket

Falcon 9 Block 5
Image Credit: SpaceX
SpaceX
Status: Active
Price: $69.75 million
Liftoff Thrust: 7,607 kN
Payload to LEO: 22,800 kg
Payload to GTO: 8,300 kg
Stages: 2
Strap-ons: 0
Rocket Height: 70.0 m
Fairing Diameter: 5.2 m
Fairing Height: 13.0 m

Vehicles

Landing Zone 1

B1078

Flight #13
41 day turnaround
364th Falcon recovery attempt
350th successful Falcon recovery
6th consecutive successful Falcon landing and recovery

Mission Details

BlueBird Block 1 #1-5

This mission will launch the first 5 commercial satellites in AST SpaceMobile’s cellphone-compatible broadband constellation. In orbit, they will provide connectivity for smartphones outside cellular coverage in partnership with mobile network operators (MNOs).

The satellites use AST & Science's patented technologies for connecting to cellphones in a space environment for their SpaceMobile constellation. Each satellite will deploy a 10 m diameter phased array antenna with an area of 64 meters squared consisting of numerous identical sub-antenna modules to connect directly to standard mobile phones.

Payloads: 5
Total Mass: 7,500.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit

Location

SLC-40, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA

Stats

2024

166th orbital launch attempt

SpaceX

389th mission
89th mission of 2024
382nd successful mission
19th consecutive successful mission

Falcon 9

374th mission
88th mission of 2024
370th successful mission
19th consecutive successful mission