Blue Origin Rocket Explosion Causes Space Stocks to Plummet
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 23 hours ago
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Rocket Testing Incident: A rocket being tested by Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin exploded on the launchpad at Cape Canaveral, Florida, leading to a widespread decline in space technology stocks during early trading on Friday, with AST SpaceMobile's shares plummeting 18.5%, indicating market concerns over launch capabilities.
- Deutsche Bank Downgrade: Deutsche Bank downgraded AST SpaceMobile from Buy to Hold with a price target of $106, stating that without Blue Origin's support, ASTS will struggle to meet its target of launching approximately 45 satellites by the end of 2026, significantly impacting its competitive position in the market.
- SpaceX Valuation Cut: A Bloomberg report indicated that SpaceX is targeting a valuation of $1.8 trillion, down from $2 trillion reported in April, reflecting a cautious market sentiment towards the aerospace sector and exacerbating investor concerns.
- Widespread Decline in Space Stocks: The fallout from the incident caused other U.S. space-related stocks to drop significantly, including Rocket Lab down 5.4% and Intuitive Machines down 12.3%, showcasing a broader decline in investor confidence in the aerospace industry.
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Analyst Views on ASTS
Wall Street analysts forecast ASTS stock price to fall
8 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
4 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 133.090
Low
43.00
Averages
91.68
High
137.00
Current: 133.090
Low
43.00
Averages
91.68
High
137.00
About ASTS
AST SpaceMobile, Inc. is engaged in building a global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on its intellectual property (IP) and patent portfolio and designed for both commercial and government applications. The Company is engaged in designing and developing the constellation of BlueBird (BB) satellites and has planned a space-based Cellular Broadband network distributed through a constellation of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. Its SpaceMobile Service is being designed to provide high-speed cellular broadband services to end-users who are out of terrestrial cellular coverage using existing mobile devices. The Company intends to continue testing capabilities of the BW3 test satellite, including further testing with cellular service providers and the government. The Company has operations in India, Scotland, Spain, and Israel.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
AST SpaceMobile Faces Crisis with Launch Partner Blue Origin
- Launch Partner Crisis: AST SpaceMobile's launch partner Blue Origin experienced an explosion of its New Glenn rocket at Cape Canaveral, severely damaging the launch facility and causing AST's stock to drop 17.3%, indicating market concerns over its future launch plans.
- Historical Mishap: This marks the second incident related to Blue Origin for AST, as a previous rocket anomaly prevented a satellite from reaching orbit, raising doubts about AST's confidence in Blue Origin and potentially affecting future collaboration decisions.
- Diversified Launch Strategy: Despite the crisis with Blue Origin, AST has mitigated risk by partnering with multiple launch providers, with its next planned launch of three BlueBird satellites scheduled on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, ensuring that its launch plans remain unaffected.
- Uncertain Commercial Prospects: Although AST aims to increase its satellite count to 45 by year-end to initiate commercial direct-to-cell satellite services, the lack of support from Blue Origin may complicate this goal, highlighting the high-risk nature of investing in start-ups.
See More
U.S. Stocks Hit Record Highs, Dell Shares Surge 33%
- Strong U.S. Market Performance: The S&P 500 rose by 0.2%, the Dow Jones increased by 0.7%, and the Nasdaq 100 gained 0.4%, all reaching record highs, reflecting investor optimism due to easing U.S.-Iran tensions, which has bolstered market confidence.
- Dell's Stock Surge: Dell's shares jumped 33% on Friday, marking its best single-day performance ever, indicating strong market expectations for its role in the artificial intelligence sector, thereby solidifying its leadership position among tech stocks.
- Impressive ETF Performance: The SPDR S&P 500 ETF and Invesco QQQ Trust rose by 0.2% and 0.4%, respectively, both hitting record highs by the weekend, showcasing sustained investor enthusiasm for tech stocks, particularly driven by advancements in AI technology.
- Optimistic Market Sentiment: Retail sentiment for SPY, QQQ, and DIA on Stocktwits is in the “extremely bullish” territory, indicating a significant increase in investor confidence regarding future market trends, which could further propel stock market gains.
See More
AST SpaceMobile Shares Drop 14.79% Amid Launch Concerns
- Significant Stock Decline: AST SpaceMobile's shares closed at $113.41 on Friday, down 14.79%, primarily due to the explosion of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket and a downgrade from Deutsche Bank, indicating heightened market concerns over the company's execution risks.
- Surge in Trading Volume: The trading volume reached 54.8 million shares, which is 159% above the three-month average, reflecting intense investor interest and significant volatility in market sentiment regarding the company's future.
- Launch Plan Risks: AST SpaceMobile aims to launch approximately 45 satellites this year; however, delays from Blue Origin could jeopardize the deployment of its BlueBird constellation, adding uncertainty to the company's growth trajectory and investor confidence.
- Impact of Downgrade: Deutsche Bank cut AST SpaceMobile's price target to $106, amplifying investor concerns, and as a speculative space venture, the company is expected to experience increased market volatility moving forward.
See More
AST SpaceMobile Shares Drop 17% After Blue Origin Rocket Explosion
- Rocket Test Failure: AST SpaceMobile shares fell approximately 17% after a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded during a test in Florida, posing a threat to the company's future launch options despite the failure not involving an AST payload.
- Launch Plans Disrupted: The company had planned for Blue Origin to carry future BlueBird satellites, and the explosion complicates its satellite launch strategy, especially after losing a launch opportunity in April.
- Multi-Launch Agreement Risks: AST SpaceMobile has sought to mitigate launch risks by partnering with multiple providers, with its next planned launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket; however, prolonged downtime for Blue Origin could hinder its goal of expanding to 45 satellites.
- Strategic Implications Heightened: The multi-launch agreement with Blue Origin, set for 2024 to support its direct-to-cell network, now faces increased uncertainty due to the rocket failure, potentially impacting the company's competitive positioning in the market.
See More
Energy Stocks Decline as Nextpower Acquires Battery Firm
- Energy Sector Decline: Energy stocks fell for the fourth consecutive day after President Trump indicated a potential deal to end the U.S.-Iran conflict, with OneOK leading the S&P 500 energy sector down over 3%, reflecting market concerns about the industry's outlook.
- Nextpower Acquisition: Nextpower's stock surged 13% following its announcement of acquiring battery storage company Prevalon Energy for approximately $365 million, while also raising its full-year revenue guidance, indicating its strategic expansion in the renewable energy sector.
- Dell Technologies Surge: Dell Technologies' shares jumped 29% after raising its full-year guidance, projecting adjusted earnings of $17.90 per share and revenue between $165 billion and $169 billion, significantly exceeding analyst expectations, showcasing strong market demand recovery.
- American Eagle's Poor Performance: American Eagle Outfitters' shares dropped 13% as comparable sales at its American Eagle banner fell 2% in Q1, with second-quarter guidance disappointing analysts, highlighting the sales pressure and intensified competition it faces.
See More
Starfighters Space Secures $17.5 Million Investment for STARLAUNCH
- Funding Support: On May 22, 2026, Starfighters Space announced a strategic equity investment of $17.5 million aimed at supporting the continued development of the STARLAUNCH platform and broader commercial space initiatives, with funds allocated for infrastructure development and operational expansion, thereby enhancing the company's competitive position in the market.
- Executive Appointments: The company appointed two senior leaders from Blue Origin, Jose Arias as Vice President of Space Operations and Catrina L. Medeiros as Director of STARLAUNCH Operations, which not only enhances the company's execution capabilities but also provides strong management support for the successful implementation of the STARLAUNCH project.
- Market Outlook: With SpaceX planning to go public on June 12, 2026, targeting up to $75 billion in funding, Starfighters Space is well-positioned to capitalize on this influx of capital, accelerating its commercial development and further solidifying its position in the rapidly growing space economy.
- Technical Progress: Recent milestones for the STARLAUNCH platform include a targeted space demonstration flight timeline over the next 18 to 24 months, which is expected to significantly reduce technical risks and boost market confidence through regulatory approvals and program execution.
See More
AST SpaceMobile Faces Crisis with Launch Partner Blue Origin
- Launch Partner Crisis: AST SpaceMobile's launch partner Blue Origin experienced an explosion of its New Glenn rocket at Cape Canaveral, severely damaging the launch facility and causing AST's stock to drop 17.3%, indicating market concerns over its future launch plans.
- Historical Mishap: This marks the second incident related to Blue Origin for AST, as a previous rocket anomaly prevented a satellite from reaching orbit, raising doubts about AST's confidence in Blue Origin and potentially affecting future collaboration decisions.
- Diversified Launch Strategy: Despite the crisis with Blue Origin, AST has mitigated risk by partnering with multiple launch providers, with its next planned launch of three BlueBird satellites scheduled on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, ensuring that its launch plans remain unaffected.
- Uncertain Commercial Prospects: Although AST aims to increase its satellite count to 45 by year-end to initiate commercial direct-to-cell satellite services, the lack of support from Blue Origin may complicate this goal, highlighting the high-risk nature of investing in start-ups.
See More
U.S. Stocks Hit Record Highs, Dell Shares Surge 33%
- Strong U.S. Market Performance: The S&P 500 rose by 0.2%, the Dow Jones increased by 0.7%, and the Nasdaq 100 gained 0.4%, all reaching record highs, reflecting investor optimism due to easing U.S.-Iran tensions, which has bolstered market confidence.
- Dell's Stock Surge: Dell's shares jumped 33% on Friday, marking its best single-day performance ever, indicating strong market expectations for its role in the artificial intelligence sector, thereby solidifying its leadership position among tech stocks.
- Impressive ETF Performance: The SPDR S&P 500 ETF and Invesco QQQ Trust rose by 0.2% and 0.4%, respectively, both hitting record highs by the weekend, showcasing sustained investor enthusiasm for tech stocks, particularly driven by advancements in AI technology.
- Optimistic Market Sentiment: Retail sentiment for SPY, QQQ, and DIA on Stocktwits is in the “extremely bullish” territory, indicating a significant increase in investor confidence regarding future market trends, which could further propel stock market gains.
See More
AST SpaceMobile Shares Drop 14.79% Amid Launch Concerns
- Significant Stock Decline: AST SpaceMobile's shares closed at $113.41 on Friday, down 14.79%, primarily due to the explosion of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket and a downgrade from Deutsche Bank, indicating heightened market concerns over the company's execution risks.
- Surge in Trading Volume: The trading volume reached 54.8 million shares, which is 159% above the three-month average, reflecting intense investor interest and significant volatility in market sentiment regarding the company's future.
- Launch Plan Risks: AST SpaceMobile aims to launch approximately 45 satellites this year; however, delays from Blue Origin could jeopardize the deployment of its BlueBird constellation, adding uncertainty to the company's growth trajectory and investor confidence.
- Impact of Downgrade: Deutsche Bank cut AST SpaceMobile's price target to $106, amplifying investor concerns, and as a speculative space venture, the company is expected to experience increased market volatility moving forward.
See More
AST SpaceMobile Shares Drop 17% After Blue Origin Rocket Explosion
- Rocket Test Failure: AST SpaceMobile shares fell approximately 17% after a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded during a test in Florida, posing a threat to the company's future launch options despite the failure not involving an AST payload.
- Launch Plans Disrupted: The company had planned for Blue Origin to carry future BlueBird satellites, and the explosion complicates its satellite launch strategy, especially after losing a launch opportunity in April.
- Multi-Launch Agreement Risks: AST SpaceMobile has sought to mitigate launch risks by partnering with multiple providers, with its next planned launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket; however, prolonged downtime for Blue Origin could hinder its goal of expanding to 45 satellites.
- Strategic Implications Heightened: The multi-launch agreement with Blue Origin, set for 2024 to support its direct-to-cell network, now faces increased uncertainty due to the rocket failure, potentially impacting the company's competitive positioning in the market.
See More
Energy Stocks Decline as Nextpower Acquires Battery Firm
- Energy Sector Decline: Energy stocks fell for the fourth consecutive day after President Trump indicated a potential deal to end the U.S.-Iran conflict, with OneOK leading the S&P 500 energy sector down over 3%, reflecting market concerns about the industry's outlook.
- Nextpower Acquisition: Nextpower's stock surged 13% following its announcement of acquiring battery storage company Prevalon Energy for approximately $365 million, while also raising its full-year revenue guidance, indicating its strategic expansion in the renewable energy sector.
- Dell Technologies Surge: Dell Technologies' shares jumped 29% after raising its full-year guidance, projecting adjusted earnings of $17.90 per share and revenue between $165 billion and $169 billion, significantly exceeding analyst expectations, showcasing strong market demand recovery.
- American Eagle's Poor Performance: American Eagle Outfitters' shares dropped 13% as comparable sales at its American Eagle banner fell 2% in Q1, with second-quarter guidance disappointing analysts, highlighting the sales pressure and intensified competition it faces.
See More
Starfighters Space Secures $17.5 Million Investment for STARLAUNCH
- Funding Support: On May 22, 2026, Starfighters Space announced a strategic equity investment of $17.5 million aimed at supporting the continued development of the STARLAUNCH platform and broader commercial space initiatives, with funds allocated for infrastructure development and operational expansion, thereby enhancing the company's competitive position in the market.
- Executive Appointments: The company appointed two senior leaders from Blue Origin, Jose Arias as Vice President of Space Operations and Catrina L. Medeiros as Director of STARLAUNCH Operations, which not only enhances the company's execution capabilities but also provides strong management support for the successful implementation of the STARLAUNCH project.
- Market Outlook: With SpaceX planning to go public on June 12, 2026, targeting up to $75 billion in funding, Starfighters Space is well-positioned to capitalize on this influx of capital, accelerating its commercial development and further solidifying its position in the rapidly growing space economy.
- Technical Progress: Recent milestones for the STARLAUNCH platform include a targeted space demonstration flight timeline over the next 18 to 24 months, which is expected to significantly reduce technical risks and boost market confidence through regulatory approvals and program execution.
See More
