AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTS) successfully launched the BlueBird 6, the largest commercial cellular satellite ever deployed in low Earth orbit. Despite the successful launch, AST SpaceMobile stock closed at 85.67, shedding 0.94%. Yet during the overnight session, ASTS is trading at 89.27, gaining 4.20%. BlueBird 6, at nearly 2,400 square feet, represents a step-change in scale, exceeding AST SpaceMobile’s six in-orbit satellites by more than three times in size and tenfold in capacity. The move is pivotal for delivering high-speed mobile Internet from space, and ramping up operational efficiencies.
The BlueBird 6 mission was successfully launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India, at 10:25 EST yesterday, December 23. The mission aims to deliver 4G and 5G space-based cellular broadband directly to standard smartphones, supporting both commercial and government applications.
Commenting on the success, Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of AST SpaceMobile, stated, “BlueBird 6 is a breakthrough moment for AST SpaceMobile.”
He further added, “This launch validates years of U.S. innovation and American manufacturing, executed by our team, and marks the transition to scaled deployment. With BlueBird 6 now in orbit, we are firmly on the path to delivering true space-based cellular broadband directly to everyday smartphones, at a global scale.”
ASTS Stock Performance, Ratings, and Concerns
The stock surged 14% before the launch of BlueBird 6. Over the past year, the ASTS outperformed the broader S&P 500. The stock edged up by 306% year-to-date (YTD). The stock fluctuates between 17.50 and 102.79 within the 52-week range, with the current price remaining near the upper limit. The target price for the next 12 months is 71.51.
The analyst from B. Riley Securities maintains a ‘strong buy’ rating with $60 to $95 price targets, with 10.89% upside. Scotiabank raised its rating on AST SpaceMobile from ‘Sector Underperform’ to ‘Sector Perform’. Throughout the year, ASTS stock performed fairly with gains in all four quarters. The following table shows the historical data of the ASTS stock over the past year.
| Date | Open | High | Low | Close | Adj. Close | Change | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q4 2025 | 53.51 | 102.79 | 49.31 | 85.67 | 85.67 | +74.55% | 808,017,728 |
| Q3 2025 | 46.5 | 60.95 | 36.08 | 49.08 | 49.08 | +5.03% | 659,604,722 |
| Q2 2025 | 22.77 | 54.05 | 18.22 | 46.73 | 46.73 | +105.50% | 809,244,831 |
| Q1 2025 | 21.14 | 35.49 | 17.5 | 22.74 | 22.74 | +7.77% | 709,300,506 |
According to the latest earnings report, the company recorded revenue of $14.7 million during the third quarter. Total operating expenses rose to $94.4 million in the third quarter of 2025, up from $74.0 million in the second quarter.
Moreover, the recent insider selling grabbed the attention of investors. According to Insider Screener data, AST SpaceMobile has recorded nine insider trading transactions with a net value of -$161.37 million over the past 90 days. The most notable sell-off was the $159.63 million sale by American Tower Corp. Executives have also reportedly engaged in selling, with a total of $1.78 million in net sales. The overall trend indicates a lack of confidence among insiders. The selling spree is coinciding with a recent earnings miss of 114.29% in the third quarter. The company also faces intense competition from companies such as Starlink (SpaceX), Lynk Global, Amazon Project Kuiper, OneWeb, Iridium Communications, and Globalstar.
