AST SpaceMobile to Launch BlueBird Satellites and Form JV with Rakuten
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 1 hour ago
0mins
Source: stocktwits
- Satellite Launch Plans: AST SpaceMobile is set to launch its BlueBird 11, 12, and 13 satellites from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in the first half of August, with expectations of nearly doubling the peak data speeds of its initial Block 1 satellites, thereby expanding its space-based cellular broadband network.
- Joint Venture with Rakuten: According to a Nikkei report, Rakuten Group plans to form a joint venture with AST SpaceMobile in Japan this year to manage satellite operations and provide direct-to-smartphone connectivity services, enabling Rakuten to compete with local telecom carriers, although the investment size remains undisclosed.
- Shareholder Sale Proposal: A regulatory filing revealed that AA Gables 2 intends to sell 2.5 million shares of AST SpaceMobile's Class A common stock, valued at approximately $183 million, with founder and CEO Abel Avellan as the sole member, which could impact market confidence in ASTS.
- Improving Market Sentiment: Retail sentiment surrounding ASTS on Stocktwits has remained bullish over the past 24 hours, with investors optimistic about a potential stock rebound, viewing the satellite launch update as not just news but a confirmation of cadence, indicating strong market expectations for the company's future.
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Analyst Views on ASTS
Wall Street analysts forecast ASTS stock price to rise
8 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
4 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 73.190
Low
43.00
Averages
91.68
High
137.00
Current: 73.190
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.
ASTS Shareholder Plans Sale of 2.5 Million Shares Raises Concerns
- Shareholder Sale Plan: AA Gables 2, LLC filed to sell 2.5 million shares of ASTS Class A common stock, valued at approximately $183 million, raising fresh dilution concerns that led to a 9% drop in ASTS stock on Monday.
- Financing Contract Details: The share sale is being executed under a pre-paid forward contract with Citibank, with AA Gables 2 pledging 2.5 million AST & Science units, which are redeemable into ASTS Class A shares, indicating a strategic approach to financing.
- Satellite Launch Progress: AST SpaceMobile recently achieved the successful launch of BlueBird satellites 8, 9, and 10, marking a significant milestone in deploying the largest commercial communications arrays in low Earth orbit, which is expected to substantially enhance data transmission speeds and strengthen its market position.
- Market Sentiment Shift: Despite the shareholder sale raising concerns, retail sentiment on Stocktwits remains neutral, indicating a divergence in views on ASTS's long-term prospects and reflecting the market's complex perception of the company's future developments.
See More
AST SpaceMobile to Launch BlueBird Satellites and Form JV with Rakuten
- Satellite Launch Plans: AST SpaceMobile is set to launch its BlueBird 11, 12, and 13 satellites from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in the first half of August, with expectations of nearly doubling the peak data speeds of its initial Block 1 satellites, thereby expanding its space-based cellular broadband network.
- Joint Venture with Rakuten: According to a Nikkei report, Rakuten Group plans to form a joint venture with AST SpaceMobile in Japan this year to manage satellite operations and provide direct-to-smartphone connectivity services, enabling Rakuten to compete with local telecom carriers, although the investment size remains undisclosed.
- Shareholder Sale Proposal: A regulatory filing revealed that AA Gables 2 intends to sell 2.5 million shares of AST SpaceMobile's Class A common stock, valued at approximately $183 million, with founder and CEO Abel Avellan as the sole member, which could impact market confidence in ASTS.
- Improving Market Sentiment: Retail sentiment surrounding ASTS on Stocktwits has remained bullish over the past 24 hours, with investors optimistic about a potential stock rebound, viewing the satellite launch update as not just news but a confirmation of cadence, indicating strong market expectations for the company's future.
See More
AST SpaceMobile to Launch BlueBirds 11, 12, and 13 into Orbit
- Launch Plans: AST SpaceMobile is set to launch BlueBirds 11, 12, and 13 from Cape Canaveral, Florida in early August, continuing to advance its space-based cellular network, which is expected to enhance the company's competitiveness in the global mobile communications market.
- Technological Advancements: The next-generation BlueBird satellites feature commercial communication arrays measuring approximately 2,400 square feet and are expected to deliver nearly double the peak data speeds of the initial satellites, reaching 98.9 Mbps, significantly enhancing user experience and driving market demand.
- Manufacturing Capabilities: This launch signifies AST SpaceMobile's robust capabilities in satellite production and assembly, as the ongoing production of BlueBird 37 allows the company to steadily expand its network to connect the unconnected and under-connected regions globally.
- Strategic Partnerships: AST SpaceMobile has agreements with nearly 60 mobile network operators, covering over 3 billion subscribers, demonstrating its extensive influence in the global market and the potential for future commercial services.
See More
ASTS Shareholder Plans to Sell 2.5 Million Shares Raises Concerns
- Shareholder Sell-off Plan: AA Gables 2, LLC filed to sell 2.5 million shares of ASTS Class A common stock, valued at approximately $183 million, raising fresh dilution concerns that led to a 9% drop in ASTS stock on Monday.
- Financing Arrangement Details: The share sale is being conducted under a pre-paid forward contract with Citibank, where AA Gables 2 pledged 2.5 million AST & Science units, redeemable into ASTS Class A shares, indicating a strategic approach to financing.
- Satellite Launch Progress: AST SpaceMobile recently achieved a milestone by successfully launching BlueBird satellites 8, 9, and 10, which are the largest commercial communications arrays deployed in low Earth orbit, expected to enhance data transmission speeds and strengthen the company's competitive position in the satellite communications market.
- Market Sentiment Analysis: Despite the shareholder sell-off concerns, retail sentiment for ASTS remains 'neutral' on Stocktwits, with the stock having surged 59% over the past year, reflecting investor confidence in the company's long-term prospects.
See More
SpaceX Shares Plunge Post-IPO Amid Valuation Concerns
- Stock Price Decline: SpaceX's shares fell significantly post-IPO, closing down 16% at $154.6 on Monday, marking a 24% drop over three days, indicating market concerns regarding its valuation.
- ARK Investment Increase: Despite the stock's decline, Cathie Wood's ARK Invest purchased a total of 210,121 shares of SpaceX across four ETFs on Monday, reflecting ongoing confidence in the company, with total purchases valued at $32.5 million.
- Valuation Concerns: Analysts Mohamed El-Erian and Gary Black raised alarms about SpaceX's valuation, citing a 175x EV/EBITDA multiple and 62x EV/revenue multiple as difficult to justify, suggesting potential future pressures on the stock.
- AI Partnership Agreement: SpaceX signed a $6.3 billion compute deal with Reflection AI, which is expected to provide a new revenue stream, although the company reported a $4.9 billion net loss in 2025, highlighting the complexities of its financial situation.
See More
SpaceX Stock Rises 37% Post-IPO Amid Limited Supply
- Stock Performance: As of June 18, SpaceX's stock has surged nearly 37% from its IPO price of $135, reflecting strong market confidence in its growth potential, despite only 3% to 4% of shares being publicly tradable.
- Rocket Lab Growth: Rocket Lab's revenue rose 63.5% year-over-year to $200.3 million in Q1 2026, with a backlog of approximately $2.2 billion, indicating strong demand in the defense sector, and it is set to join the Nasdaq-100 on June 22, enhancing its market visibility.
- HASTE Rocket Orders: Rocket Lab secured a $190 million, 20-launch order for the HASTE rocket tied to the Department of Defense's MACH-TB hypersonic testing program, with HASTE accounting for nearly one-third of its launch backlog, showcasing the company's strategic positioning in hypersonic technology.
- AST SpaceMobile Progress: AST SpaceMobile is building a satellite network that connects directly to ordinary smartphones, with partnerships with nearly 60 mobile operators, aiming to launch 45 satellites by 2026, which could significantly enhance its competitive edge if successful.
See More
ASTS Shareholder Plans Sale of 2.5 Million Shares Raises Concerns
- Shareholder Sale Plan: AA Gables 2, LLC filed to sell 2.5 million shares of ASTS Class A common stock, valued at approximately $183 million, raising fresh dilution concerns that led to a 9% drop in ASTS stock on Monday.
- Financing Contract Details: The share sale is being executed under a pre-paid forward contract with Citibank, with AA Gables 2 pledging 2.5 million AST & Science units, which are redeemable into ASTS Class A shares, indicating a strategic approach to financing.
- Satellite Launch Progress: AST SpaceMobile recently achieved the successful launch of BlueBird satellites 8, 9, and 10, marking a significant milestone in deploying the largest commercial communications arrays in low Earth orbit, which is expected to substantially enhance data transmission speeds and strengthen its market position.
- Market Sentiment Shift: Despite the shareholder sale raising concerns, retail sentiment on Stocktwits remains neutral, indicating a divergence in views on ASTS's long-term prospects and reflecting the market's complex perception of the company's future developments.
See More
AST SpaceMobile to Launch BlueBird Satellites and Form JV with Rakuten
- Satellite Launch Plans: AST SpaceMobile is set to launch its BlueBird 11, 12, and 13 satellites from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in the first half of August, with expectations of nearly doubling the peak data speeds of its initial Block 1 satellites, thereby expanding its space-based cellular broadband network.
- Joint Venture with Rakuten: According to a Nikkei report, Rakuten Group plans to form a joint venture with AST SpaceMobile in Japan this year to manage satellite operations and provide direct-to-smartphone connectivity services, enabling Rakuten to compete with local telecom carriers, although the investment size remains undisclosed.
- Shareholder Sale Proposal: A regulatory filing revealed that AA Gables 2 intends to sell 2.5 million shares of AST SpaceMobile's Class A common stock, valued at approximately $183 million, with founder and CEO Abel Avellan as the sole member, which could impact market confidence in ASTS.
- Improving Market Sentiment: Retail sentiment surrounding ASTS on Stocktwits has remained bullish over the past 24 hours, with investors optimistic about a potential stock rebound, viewing the satellite launch update as not just news but a confirmation of cadence, indicating strong market expectations for the company's future.
See More
AST SpaceMobile to Launch BlueBirds 11, 12, and 13 into Orbit
- Launch Plans: AST SpaceMobile is set to launch BlueBirds 11, 12, and 13 from Cape Canaveral, Florida in early August, continuing to advance its space-based cellular network, which is expected to enhance the company's competitiveness in the global mobile communications market.
- Technological Advancements: The next-generation BlueBird satellites feature commercial communication arrays measuring approximately 2,400 square feet and are expected to deliver nearly double the peak data speeds of the initial satellites, reaching 98.9 Mbps, significantly enhancing user experience and driving market demand.
- Manufacturing Capabilities: This launch signifies AST SpaceMobile's robust capabilities in satellite production and assembly, as the ongoing production of BlueBird 37 allows the company to steadily expand its network to connect the unconnected and under-connected regions globally.
- Strategic Partnerships: AST SpaceMobile has agreements with nearly 60 mobile network operators, covering over 3 billion subscribers, demonstrating its extensive influence in the global market and the potential for future commercial services.
See More
ASTS Shareholder Plans to Sell 2.5 Million Shares Raises Concerns
- Shareholder Sell-off Plan: AA Gables 2, LLC filed to sell 2.5 million shares of ASTS Class A common stock, valued at approximately $183 million, raising fresh dilution concerns that led to a 9% drop in ASTS stock on Monday.
- Financing Arrangement Details: The share sale is being conducted under a pre-paid forward contract with Citibank, where AA Gables 2 pledged 2.5 million AST & Science units, redeemable into ASTS Class A shares, indicating a strategic approach to financing.
- Satellite Launch Progress: AST SpaceMobile recently achieved a milestone by successfully launching BlueBird satellites 8, 9, and 10, which are the largest commercial communications arrays deployed in low Earth orbit, expected to enhance data transmission speeds and strengthen the company's competitive position in the satellite communications market.
- Market Sentiment Analysis: Despite the shareholder sell-off concerns, retail sentiment for ASTS remains 'neutral' on Stocktwits, with the stock having surged 59% over the past year, reflecting investor confidence in the company's long-term prospects.
See More
SpaceX Shares Plunge Post-IPO Amid Valuation Concerns
- Stock Price Decline: SpaceX's shares fell significantly post-IPO, closing down 16% at $154.6 on Monday, marking a 24% drop over three days, indicating market concerns regarding its valuation.
- ARK Investment Increase: Despite the stock's decline, Cathie Wood's ARK Invest purchased a total of 210,121 shares of SpaceX across four ETFs on Monday, reflecting ongoing confidence in the company, with total purchases valued at $32.5 million.
- Valuation Concerns: Analysts Mohamed El-Erian and Gary Black raised alarms about SpaceX's valuation, citing a 175x EV/EBITDA multiple and 62x EV/revenue multiple as difficult to justify, suggesting potential future pressures on the stock.
- AI Partnership Agreement: SpaceX signed a $6.3 billion compute deal with Reflection AI, which is expected to provide a new revenue stream, although the company reported a $4.9 billion net loss in 2025, highlighting the complexities of its financial situation.
See More
SpaceX Stock Rises 37% Post-IPO Amid Limited Supply
- Stock Performance: As of June 18, SpaceX's stock has surged nearly 37% from its IPO price of $135, reflecting strong market confidence in its growth potential, despite only 3% to 4% of shares being publicly tradable.
- Rocket Lab Growth: Rocket Lab's revenue rose 63.5% year-over-year to $200.3 million in Q1 2026, with a backlog of approximately $2.2 billion, indicating strong demand in the defense sector, and it is set to join the Nasdaq-100 on June 22, enhancing its market visibility.
- HASTE Rocket Orders: Rocket Lab secured a $190 million, 20-launch order for the HASTE rocket tied to the Department of Defense's MACH-TB hypersonic testing program, with HASTE accounting for nearly one-third of its launch backlog, showcasing the company's strategic positioning in hypersonic technology.
- AST SpaceMobile Progress: AST SpaceMobile is building a satellite network that connects directly to ordinary smartphones, with partnerships with nearly 60 mobile operators, aiming to launch 45 satellites by 2026, which could significantly enhance its competitive edge if successful.
See More
