Each BlueBird satellites is carrying what AST SpaceMobile says is the world’s largest communication array, measuring at 700 square feet. The large array enables the satellites to efficiently relay data from Earth, turning each BlueBird into an orbiting cell tower in space that can harness 5G spectrum.
AST SpaceMobile has been working on the satellites to help carriers worldwide serve users in cellular dead zones. The technology can power video calls and internet downloads as fast as 21Mbps to unmodified smartphones, according to earlier tests with the company's first prototype satellite.