Illustration: jalopnik.com

The Rise of BlueBird 6

SpaceX may have launched 10,000 Starlink satellites into orbit, but now it faces competition from Texas-based AST SpaceMobile, which has launched the largest satellite ever put into low-Earth orbit. The BlueBird 6 satellite is a massive 2,400 square feet, enabling it to provide direct 5G service to regular cell phones. With plans to launch 50 more satellites next year, AST SpaceMobile aims to revolutionize connectivity for users worldwide.

Quality vs Quantity

Illustration: www.mby.com

Despite the technological advancements offered by BlueBird 6, concerns have been raised regarding its impact on astronomy and light pollution. The reflective solar panels on the satellite have the potential to disrupt observations from Earth-based and space observatories. SpaceX has raised safety concerns to the FCC, highlighting the potential risks associated with the deployment of larger satellites. The competition between AST SpaceMobile and SpaceX signifies the intensifying race to establish satellite constellations in orbit.