However, it did not succeed in delivering its space-oriented cell tower cargo.
However, it did not succeed in delivering its space-oriented cell tower cargo.
The launch today of AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 satellite via Blue Origin’s reusable New Glenn rocket was a partial achievement. The New Glenn landed safely on its target pad, making it the second successful launch and landing of the first stage booster, officially providing Jeff Bezos with a reusable launch vehicle. Regrettably for AST SpaceMobile, the undertaking was not as fruitful. Its space-based cell tower was positioned in a lower orbit than intended by the launch vehicle’s second stage, making it effectively nonoperational.
In a release, the company stated:
Although the satellite detached from the launch vehicle and activated, the altitude is insufficient to operate with its onboard thruster technology, resulting in its deorbit.
Bezos, for his part, shared a video of the landing on X without providing any commentary.
