AST SpaceMobile Builds Blacklift Rocket with Firefly Engines
Satellite / Space
Strategic Partnership
Merger:
Apr 02, 2021
Industry:
COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES, NEC
Market Cap.:
12.28 bn.
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AST SpaceMobile to Build Custom 20-Ton Rocket Using Firefly Aerospace Engines
MIDLAND, TX, USA - AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTS) announced plans to build its own 20-ton rocket, named Blacklift, to deploy its BlueBird satellites in low Earth orbit. The rocket will utilize Miranda and Vira engines from Firefly Aerospace (NASDAQ: FLY).
The agreement includes an upfront license payment of approximately $800 million, consisting of $400 million in cash and 10 to 14 million shares of Class A Common Stock. Additionally, AST SpaceMobile will pay $250 million for engine delivery for the first three rocket launches and $250 million over three years for engineering support services.
- Custom-built Blacklift rocket designed for reusability, enabling up to five BlueBird satellites per launch starting in late 2028.
- Perpetual license acquired to manufacture Firefly's Miranda and Vira engines in the United States.
- Supply and services agreement covers engines for the first three rocket launches and three years of engineering support.
Transaction Highlights
About AST SpaceMobile, Inc.
AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio, and designed for both commercial and government applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected. For more information, follow AST SpaceMobile on YouTube, X (Formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and Facebook. Watch this video for an overview of the SpaceMobile mission.
