The largest-ever satellite of its kind just unfurled its wings in low-Earth orbit

"The largest-ever communications satellite of its kind took a major step toward operation Tuesday: operator AST SpaceMobile announced the record-breaking spacecraft, whimsically called BlueBird 6, has successfully unfolded its humongous antenna. Spanning some 2,400 square feet (223 square meters), it is the largest commercial communications array antenna ever deployed in low-Earth orbit. AST SpaceMobile hopes it will be the first of many: the Texas-based public company has six smaller satellites already operating in low-Earth orbit, with plans for scores more behemoths like BlueBird 6."

"BlueBird 6 is huge. Whereas Starlink satellites are about the size of a large table and have an array that extends about 100 feet, BlueBird 6's array spans an area a little shy of a doubles tennis court. It is also very bright, says Peter Plavchan, an associate professor of physics and astronomy at George Mason University, who is not involved with the satellite company."

BlueBird 6 successfully unfolded a roughly 2,400-square-foot (223 m²) antenna, making it the largest commercial communications array ever deployed in low‑Earth orbit. AST SpaceMobile plans more large satellites to build a cellular broadband network that connects directly to smartphones; the company already operates six smaller satellites. BlueBird 6's array spans nearly the size of a doubles tennis court, far larger than typical Starlink arrays. Observers note the satellite will be unusually bright—more luminous than Saturn—and many such bright, numerous satellites will affect ground‑based astronomy, including both professional and amateur observations, altering views even at dark‑sky locations.

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