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ASTS to Deploy 45-60 Satellites in Orbit by 2026: Stock to Benefit?
ZACKS· 2025-08-25 14:05
Core Insights - AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (ASTS) is set to deploy approximately 45-60 satellites by the end of 2026, having already launched its first five commercial satellites, known as BlueBird, in low Earth orbit (LEO) [1][6] - The BlueBird satellites feature the largest commercial communications arrays, covering 693 square feet, and provide non-continuous service across the U.S. using over 5,600 cells in the low-band spectrum [1][2] - The company aims to enhance connectivity in remote areas, ensuring broader access to communication services [2] Deployment and Technology - AST SpaceMobile has completed the assembly of microns for eight Block 2 BlueBird satellites, marking the largest commercial deployment in LEO [3] - The larger aperture array design is expected to improve spectrum reuse, signal strength, and capacity, allowing for nationwide intermittent service in the U.S. by late 2025, followed by expansions to the UK, Japan, and Canada in early 2026 [3] Competitive Landscape - AST SpaceMobile faces competition from Viasat, Inc. (VSAT) and Iridium Communications Inc. (IRDM) in the satellite communication sector [4] - Iridium operates a large constellation of 66 LEO satellites and is investing in technology to enhance its services [4] - Viasat is developing the ViaSat-3 broadband platform, which will significantly increase bandwidth capacity and aims to establish a global broadband network [5] Financial Performance - AST SpaceMobile's stock has increased by 39.4% over the past year, outperforming the industry growth of 25.6% [6] - The company has a forward price-to-sales ratio of 89.41, which is considerably higher than the industry average [7] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AST SpaceMobile's earnings for 2025 has seen upward revisions over the past 60 days, indicating positive sentiment [8][9]
Could Buying AST SpaceMobile Today Set You Up for Life?
The Motley Fool· 2025-07-11 08:10
Company Overview - AST SpaceMobile is focused on developing a global cellular broadband network in space, which will be accessible via smartphones, differentiating itself from competitors like Starlink that require dedicated hardware [5][6] - The company aims to provide cellular service in regions where traditional infrastructure is too costly or difficult to implement, targeting approximately 5.8 billion mobile subscribers who experience coverage issues [6] Strategic Partnerships - AST SpaceMobile has established strategic partnerships with major telecommunications companies, including a commercial agreement with AT&T that extends through 2030, allowing AT&T to access AST's network and satellite services [7][8] - Verizon Communications has also partnered with AST SpaceMobile, committing $100 million as part of their agreement, alongside collaborations with Vodafone, Rakuten, and Alphabet's Google [9][10] Financial Performance - The company has not yet generated significant revenue and reported a net loss of $300 million last year, with an additional loss of $46 million in Q1 [11] - As of the end of Q1, AST SpaceMobile had $874.5 million in cash and equivalents, which is expected to fund the design, manufacture, launch, and operation of a constellation of 25 BlueBird satellites [13] Market Potential - The space economy is projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, presenting a significant growth opportunity for AST SpaceMobile [2] - Analysts forecast substantial revenue growth for AST SpaceMobile, estimating revenues of $299 million in 2026, $958 million in 2027, and $2.2 billion in 2028, with positive earnings expected by 2027 [14]