Photo credit: AST SpaceMobile

What happened: Midland-based AST SpaceMobile was selected this month as a prime contractor for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s SHIELD program. The selection allows the company to compete for future government work tied to missile defense and secure communications.

Why it matters: The move puts Midland on the map in a growing area of space-based national security work. While the selection does not guarantee funding, it opens the door to future contracts that could support continued growth in high-skill engineering and manufacturing jobs in Midland.

AST SpaceMobile says its satellite technology could also be used for secure communications in remote or hard-to-reach areas, including emergency response and defense-related operations.

The big picture: AST SpaceMobile builds satellites designed to connect directly to regular cell phones, no special equipment required. Instead of relying on ground-based cell towers, the company’s satellites act as cell towers in space.

Founded in 2017 by Abel Avellan, AST SpaceMobile operates out of the Midland International Air and Space Port. Its BlueBird satellites are designed to deliver 4G and 5G service to places where traditional cell coverage is weak or nonexistent. The company partners with more than 50 mobile network operators, including AT&T and Verizon, to extend coverage to nearly 3 billion people worldwide.

Go deeper: AST SpaceMobile has steadily expanded its Midland operations, growing its local facility to about 185,000 square feet since 2018. The company now has roughly 500,000 square feet of operations across Texas and Florida.

The company reports it can build up to six satellites per month, with multiple BlueBirds satellites currently in various stages of assembly. AST SpaceMobile plans between 45 and 60 satellite launches by the end of 2026 as it works toward full commercial service.

The bottom line: AST SpaceMobile’s selection for the SHIELD program does not guarantee new funding, but it positions the Midland-based company to compete for future defense-related projects. It also reinforces Midland’s growing role in the space and satellite technology sector, an industry that continues to expand beyond commercial connectivity into national security and emergency communications.