New York, Jan 15, 2026, 19:00 EST — After-hours
- AST SpaceMobile shares climbed 6.4%, hitting $101.25, with an intraday peak at $106.88.
- Defense contract news and new evidence of demand for satellite-to-phone connections kept the theme alive.
- Investors are focused on whether Friday’s momentum continues and are eyeing upcoming launch schedules and results for fresh signals.
AST SpaceMobile shares surged 6.4% to $101.25 on Thursday, breaking into triple digits following an intraday peak at $106.88. The Nasdaq-listed stock showed strong momentum throughout the session.
This matters because AST is among the crowded plays on “direct-to-cell” service — satellite links that work with regular phones — and its stock has swung wildly on thin, often indirect catalysts. Investors remain jittery, trying to figure out when testing will shift into full service and actual paying customers.
Adoption gains momentum. VEON reported Thursday that Kyivstar’s Starlink-powered “Direct to Cell” service has surpassed 3 million registered users since launching in late November. VEON CEO Kaan Terzioğlu described the strong uptake as proof of satellite connectivity’s growing role in resilience. 1
Separately, the Pentagon’s daily contracts digest reported that the Missile Defense Agency handed out 340 awards under its SHIELD vehicle, an IDIQ multiple-award contract. This setup lets vendors compete for task orders down the line, without any guaranteed work upfront. 2
AST didn’t report any new financial results on Thursday, and there was no SEC filing linked to a recent capital raise visible right away.
The company is promoting its next-gen “BlueBird” satellites as the core of a space-based cellular broadband network that ordinary smartphones can tap into. BlueBird 6 stands out as its biggest commercial communications array launched so far. 3
Risks persist. Two law firms have announced investigations into possible claims for AST investors—a typical development in fast-moving, retail-driven stocks. Such probes can drag on sentiment if they escalate into litigation. 4
Traders are closely eyeing if AST can stay above the $100 mark heading into Friday’s session, while also waiting to see if any government or commercial players provide clearer signals on demand for direct-to-device service.
The next major event to watch is the company’s upcoming quarterly report. While no official release date has been announced, market trackers suggest it could arrive in early March. 5
