AST SpaceMobile eyes ULA Vulcan for expanded satellite launches

AST SpaceMobile said it may launch some of its direct-to-device satellites on ULA’s Vulcan rocket to broaden its launch options, joining SpaceX and Blue Origin in its plans. The company still targets about 45 satellites in orbit by year’s end, but no Vulcan contract has been announced and Vulcan’s own launch backlog (plus an SRB anomaly investigation) could limit near-term availability; meanwhile, a mid-June Falcon 9 launch for AST’s BlueBirds 8–10 is planned as New Glenn launches remain paused following the recent failure.