AST SpaceMobile to build its own rocket using Firefly engines

Investing.com · Vlad Schepkov · 2026-11-06 12:38 UTC

AST SpaceMobile to build its own rocket using Firefly engines

AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) announced plans to build a custom 20-ton reusable rocket named Blacklift to deploy its BlueBird satellites in low Earth orbit, using Miranda and Vira engines from Firefly Aerospace (FLY).

The company signed an agreement with Firefly to supply engines for the first three Blacklift rockets, provide engineering services over three years, and grant AST SpaceMobile a perpetual license to manufacture the Miranda and vacuum-variant Vira engines. AST SpaceMobile said it plans to produce the engines at a new U.S.-based manufacturing facility.

Under the license agreement, AST SpaceMobile will pay approximately $800 million in upfront consideration, consisting of $400 million in cash and 10 to 14 million shares of Class A Common Stock, determined by a forward VWAP calculation. Under the supply and services agreement, the company will pay $250 million for engines for its first three rocket launches and an additional $250 million over three years for engineering support.

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