MIDLAND, TX, November 14, 2022 – 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, today is providing its business update for the third quarter ended September 30, 2022.
“The successful unfolding of BlueWalker 3 is a major step forward for our patented space-based cellular broadband technology and paves the way for the ongoing production of our BlueBird satellites,” said Abel Avellan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AST SpaceMobile. “In completing this deployment, as well as the other learnings from stowing, launching, operating, testing and flying the satellite over the last 2 months, we feel confident in our architecture and do not foresee any major changes to the architecture of our Block 1 satellites.”
Business Update
Progress with our BlueWalker 3 test satellite
- Completed the successful launch of the BlueWalker 3 (“BW3”) test satellite from Cape Canaveral, FL
- Acquired control of the BlueWalker 3 test satellite shortly after deployment and implemented Telemetry, Tracking and Control protocols for operations control of the satellite
- Successfully unfolded the largest communications array ever deployed on a commercial Low Earth Orbit satellite
- Completed validation of key aspects of our satellite architecture after two months of in-orbit operation
Industrialization of our SpaceMobile constellation
- Plan to launch five Block 1 BlueBird satellites in late 2023
- Continued to ramp up the assembly, testing and implementation processes at our Site 2 facility in Midland to build five Block 1 BlueBird satellites
- Grew portfolio of patent and patent pending claims to more than 2,600 worldwide as of November 14, 2022 compared to the more than 2,400 as of August 14, 2022
Third Quarter 2022 Financial Highlights
- Ended the third quarter with cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash of $199.5 million
- Total operating expenses increased by $6.7 million to $42.1 million for the third quarter of 2022, as compared to $35.4 million in the second quarter of 2022, due to a $4.4 million increase in research and development costs and $2.5 million increase in engineering services offset by a $0.2 million decrease in general and administrative costs
- As of September 30, 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 September 30, 2022, the Company incurred approximately $43.5 million of capitalized property and equipment costs primarily related to the Texas facilities, satellite antennas, satellite parts assembly and test equipment, and leasehold improvements
- Completed the sale of 51% interest in NanoAvionika UAB (“Nano”) for net proceeds of $26.7 million
- Issued shares of Class A common stock under the Common Stock Purchase Agreement and Equity Distribution Agreement for net proceeds of $17.0 million
Conference Call Information
AST SpaceMobile will hold a quarterly business update conference call at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) today, November 14, 2022. 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, 2022.
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, 2022. 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.
Investor Contact:
Scott Wisniewski
investors@ast-science.com
Media Contact:
Brandyn Bissinger
press@ast-science.com
+1 866 845 6521
Supporting Documents:
AST SpaceMobile Q3 2022 Quarterly Business Update