New York, Jan 18, 2026, 07:14 EST — Market closed
- AST SpaceMobile shares wrapped up Friday’s session up 14.3%, closing at $115.77
- The company announced it secured a key spot on the Missile Defense Agency’s SHIELD contract vehicle
- U.S. markets are closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day; trading will pick up again Tuesday
AST SpaceMobile shares rose 14.3% to close at $115.77 on Friday, following news the satellite-to-smartphone firm landed a spot in a U.S. missile-defense contract. The Nasdaq stock fluctuated between $106.02 and $120.72, with roughly 33.7 million shares traded.
The move matters as investors weigh what gaining a defense foothold could mean for a company still expanding its commercial network. Government contracts tend to be sticky, yet they often come with delays and uneven progress.
The pause will stretch further, as U.S. stock markets shut Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. That pushes the real test of the rally’s strength to Tuesday’s open. (Kiplinger)
AST, headquartered in Midland, Texas, announced it secured a contract role in the Missile Defense Agency’s Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) program. Chris Ivory, the company’s chief commercial officer and head of government business, described the award as “a major validation” of its “dual-use technology,” according to the statement. (Business Wire)
The company said receiving the SHIELD award qualifies it to compete for upcoming task orders covering research, development, engineering, and prototyping. Low Earth orbit, or LEO, is the region close to Earth where many communications satellites operate, offering shorter signal travel times compared to higher orbits.
An IDIQ contract, which stands for indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, acts as a framework. It lays out the terms upfront, with agencies issuing task orders afterward, letting vendors compete for the specific jobs.
In a separate securities filing, AST revealed that director Hiroshi Mikitani stepped down on Jan. 13 after Rakuten Group’s stake dipped below the level required to retain its board seat per a stockholders agreement. The board then shrank to 11 members, with the company stressing the exit wasn’t due to any dispute.
The surge in ASTS coincided with jumps in other space stocks on Friday. Rocket Lab shares climbed 6.1% following an upgrade from Morgan Stanley, Investors.com reported. (Investors)
For AST, the key issue is if SHIELD eligibility will actually translate into task orders—and when. Traders are also watching for news on how quickly satellites are being deployed and whether any fresh commercial deals with mobile network operators emerge.
However, having a seat at the table doesn’t guarantee booked revenue. If task orders fall through or the buildout hits snags, the stock’s volatile moves can quickly turn against investors.
Markets were closed Monday, pushing positioning into Tuesday’s session without the usual chance to hedge. Volume — and whether buyers return — will quickly reveal the mood.
Tuesday, Jan. 20, marks the return of U.S. markets. Watch for any new SHIELD task-order notices or filings from AST—they could steer the next move.
