AST SpaceMobile announced a $30 million prime contract from the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) for the Europa Track 2 Commercial Solutions program, a component of the agency’s Hybrid Acquisition for Proliferation‑Resistant Satellite Constellations (HALO) initiative. The award marks the company’s first prime contract through its defense‑focused subsidiary, AST SpaceMobile USA, and confirms the agency’s confidence in the company’s dual‑use satellite technology.
The contract will leverage AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird satellite constellation to demonstrate low‑latency, direct‑to‑device tactical communications for government end‑devices. By integrating with existing military radios, the program will validate the company’s ability to deliver resilient connectivity in contested environments, a key capability for the U.S. armed forces. The HALO program’s flexible contracting framework allows rapid prototyping and deployment, and AST was selected as one of 19 prime companies in the initial HALO pool in October 2024.
From a business perspective, the $30 million award expands AST’s government‑sector revenue base and provides a non‑recurring funding source that supports ongoing satellite development and launch activities. The additional capital will accelerate the Block 2 satellite program, which offers higher data capacity than the earlier Block 1 satellites, and it positions the company to begin commercial direct‑to‑device broadband services sooner. The contract also signals strong confidence from U.S. government agencies, reinforcing AST’s credibility with defense customers and potentially accelerating the path to commercial service revenue.
Chris Ivory, CEO of AST SpaceMobile USA, said, "Selection for SDA's Europa Track 2 program validates AST SpaceMobile's ability to rapidly operationalize commercial space capabilities for national security." He added, "By leveraging our existing low Earth orbit (LEO) dual‑use satellite technology, we support the Government's defense efforts, delivering immediate connectivity with our BlueBird satellites and scaling quickly to advanced tactical use cases."
The HALO program is designed to bring innovative spacecraft and systems to the Department of Defense through a fast‑track contracting mechanism. AST’s participation in the program underscores its strategic focus on dual‑use technology and its growing role in national security infrastructure, while the new contract strengthens its financial position and sets the stage for future government and commercial opportunities.
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