06:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time
MIDLAND, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (“AST SpaceMobile”) (NASDAQ: ASTS), the company building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by standard mobile phones, is providing its business update for the three months and fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
“The testing to date for BlueWalker 3 continues to validate the design roadmap for our BlueBird commercial satellites,” said Abel Avellan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AST SpaceMobile. “As we plan for the commercialization of our service, we are ramping the manufacturing of our Block 1 satellites and making key investments for Block 2 satellites.”
Business Update
Update on BlueWalker 3 Activities
- Deployed the largest-ever commercial communications array in low Earth orbit
- Proven ability to fly and control the fully deployed communications array measuring 693 sq ft
- Testing has validated our architecture’s patented doppler and delay compensation
- Initial test results indicate downlink signal strength necessary to reach 5G cellular broadband speeds
Update on Block 1 BlueBird Program
- Plan to launch five Block 1 BlueBird satellites in Q1 2024, expected to provide initial, non-continuous space-based cellular broadband services in select markets using low-band frequencies
- Took significant steps to further industrialize our technology, with in-house manufacturing of key components and electronics
- Secured launch services agreement for five Block 1 BlueBird satellites on a Falcon 9 and in active discussions for subsequent launches for Block 2 BlueBird satellites with various providers
Commercialization and Regulatory Progress
- Signed new MOUs (memoranda of understanding) with seven leading mobile network operators since November 14, 2022, including Zain KSA, Saudi Telecom, and others
- Announced plans to explore potential opportunities to jointly market services and technologies to military and law enforcement agencies with Fairwinds Technologies, a leading integrator for defense and civilian agencies around the world
- Participated in initial FCC rulemaking related to Supplemental Coverage from Space, which would allow satellite operators to collaborate with terrestrial service providers to expand coverage to terrestrial licensee subscribers
- Formalized the commitment with NASA to share information to help safeguard low Earth Orbit, with the signing of a Space Act Agreement
Fourth Quarter 2022 and Full Year 2022 Financial Highlights
- Ended the fourth quarter with cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash of $239.3 million
- Total operating expenses increased by $0.5 million to $42.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, as compared to $42.1 million in the third quarter of 2022, due to a $1.1 million increase in research and development costs and $1.5 million increase in engineering services, offset by a $2.1 million decrease in general and administrative costs
- Total operating expenses increased by $61.3 million to $152.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, as compared to $91.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021
- As of December 31, 2022, the Company incurred $92.1 million of capitalized costs (including launch costs and non-recurring engineering costs) related to the assembly, testing and deployment of the BlueWalker 3 test satellite
- As of December 31, 2022, the Company incurred approximately $53.9 million of capitalized property and equipment costs related to development of assembly, integration, and test facilities in Texas, and purchase of satellite assembly equipment, satellite direct materials and satellite antennas
- Completed the sale of 51% interest in NanoAvionika UAB (“Nano”) for net proceeds of $26.6 million in September 2022
- Issued shares of Class A common stock under various equity programs and offerings for net proceeds of $102.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2022
Conference Call Information
AST SpaceMobile will hold a quarterly business update conference call at 8:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Friday, March 31, 2023. The call will be accessible via a live webcast on the Events page of AST SpaceMobile’s Investor Relations website at https://ast-science.com/investors/. An archive of the webcast will be available shortly after the call.
About AST SpaceMobile
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. 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, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Watch this video for an overview of the SpaceMobile mission.
Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains “forward-looking statements” that are not historical facts, and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results of AST SpaceMobile to differ materially from those expected and projected. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the words “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “potential,” “projects,” “predicts,” “continue,” or “should,” or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology.
These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside AST SpaceMobile’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (i) expectations regarding AST SpaceMobile’s strategies and future financial performance, including AST’s future business plans or objectives, expected functionality of the SpaceMobile Service, anticipated timing and level of deployment of satellites, anticipated demand and acceptance of mobile satellite services, prospective performance and commercial opportunities and competitors, the timing of obtaining regulatory approvals, ability to finance its research and development activities, commercial partnership acquisition and retention, products and services, pricing, marketing plans, operating expenses, market trends, revenues, liquidity, cash flows and uses of cash, capital expenditures, and AST’s ability to invest in growth initiatives; (ii) the negotiation of definitive agreements with mobile network operators relating to the SpaceMobile service that would supersede preliminary agreements and memoranda of understanding; (iii) the ability of AST SpaceMobile to grow and manage growth profitably and retain its key employees and AST SpaceMobile’s responses to actions of its competitors and its ability to effectively compete; (iv) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (v) the possibility that AST SpaceMobile may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (vi) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against AST SpaceMobile; and (vii) other risks and uncertainties indicated in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including those in the Risk Factors section of AST SpaceMobile’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023.
The planned testing of the BW3 test satellite may not be completed due to a variety of factors, which could include loss of satellite connectivity, destruction of the satellite, or other communication failures, and even if completed as planned, the BW3 testing may indicate adjustments that are needed or modifications that must be made, any of which could result in additional costs, which could be material, and delays in commercializing our service. If there are delays or issues with our testing, it may become more costly to raise capital, if we are able to do so at all.
AST SpaceMobile cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. AST SpaceMobile cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. For information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors incorporated by reference into AST SpaceMobile’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2023. AST SpaceMobile’s securities filings can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, AST SpaceMobile disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2022 Financial Results
Contacts
Investors:
Scott Wisniewski
investors@ast-science.com
Media:
Brandyn Bissinger
press@ast-science.com
+1 866 845 6521