New York, January 5, 2026, 19:01 EST — After-hours
- AST SpaceMobile shares closed up 8.9% on Monday, paring gains slightly in extended trading.
- An industry publication said AST has kicked off the launch campaign for its upgraded BlueBird satellites, with BlueBird 7 now in Florida for launch-vehicle integration.
- Investors are watching for a firm BlueBird 7 launch timeline and whether AST can sustain a faster deployment cadence through 2026.
AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) shares climbed 8.9% in the regular session on Monday and were little changed in after-hours trading, as attention stayed on the company’s next satellite launch milestones.
The move matters because AST is trying to shift from single-satellite demonstrations to a repeatable launch cadence — a key test for any space network that plans to sell always-on coverage. Its business hinges on building enough satellites to connect ordinary smartphones using standard 4G/5G signals, rather than relying on specialized handsets.
Via Satellite reported on Sunday that AST has started the launch campaign for its upgraded BlueBird satellites, saying the next spacecraft, BlueBird 7, has arrived in Florida ahead of integration with the launch vehicle. The report said AST’s stated plan is to launch 45 to 60 satellites by the end of 2026, with launches planned every one or two months on average.
Those numbers matter because coverage improves as a constellation grows: more satellites in low Earth orbit — a band of space a few hundred miles up — means more capacity and fewer gaps. AST says its next-generation BlueBird design uses a large phased array, a flat antenna panel that can steer signals electronically, to connect directly to everyday phones.
AST’s most recent launch was BlueBird 6, which lifted off on December 23 and, the company says, deployed the largest commercial communications array ever placed in low Earth orbit. “This launch validates years of U.S. innovation and American manufacturing,” CEO Abel Avellan said, according to Via Satellite. Via Satellite+1
On Monday, AST shares ranged from $80.88 to $92.45 and traded more than 20 million shares, according to StockAnalysis.com data. The stock’s 52-week range is $17.50 to $102.79, underscoring the high-risk profile investors attach to execution in space hardware and launch schedules.
Traders will also be watching technical levels — “support” where buyers have tended to step in, and “resistance” where sellers have appeared — after the stock’s sharp swing. Monday’s low near $81 is an area bulls may want to defend, while the $92-$93 zone and the 52-week high near $103 are the next hurdles on the upside. StockAnalysis
AST’s rally comes as the race to connect phones from space tightens, with SpaceX’s Starlink pushing direct-to-cell deals globally and operators weighing “satellite-to-smartphone” services as a coverage backstop. Reuters has reported that Starlink’s direct-to-cell agreement with Veon highlighted competition from AST and Amazon’s Project Kuiper, and that Vodafone and AST are pursuing a Europe-led constellation aimed at commercial and government users. Reuters+1
A key risk is timing. Orbital launches can slip for technical readiness and weather, and AST itself cautions that launch schedules are subject to change based on factors outside its control — a reminder that a delayed or problematic deployment can quickly reset investor expectations.
Next up, investors are looking for a specific BlueBird 7 launch window and follow-through on on-orbit deployment milestones. The next major calendar marker is earnings: MarketBeat lists AST’s next results date as estimated for Monday, March 2, 2026, after the market closes, based on prior reporting patterns.
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