You know the launch market is tough when satellite companies start building rockets

AST SpaceMobile, a Texas-based company, is developing a medium-lift rocket called Blacklift that can lift 20 metric tons to low-Earth orbit and launch commercially in late 2028. The company, which provides direct-to-cell communications on Earth through large satellites, is having trouble finding rides to space and wants to expand its market. AST SpaceMobile's founder and CEO Abel Avellan stated that Blacklift will provide the company with regular access to orbit and favorable economics. This move highlights the growing need for launch capacity in the satellite industry and the increasing trend of satellite operators developing their own rockets. Another company, Cowboy Space, is also working on a large rocket called Big Iron, which is expected to launch in 2028. This follows a trend of companies developing their own rockets to secure launch capacity, which is becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. The launch market is becoming increasingly competitive, with companies willing to invest in new entrants and new technologies to secure a share of the market.