We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience.
This includes personalizing content and advertising.
By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties.
You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies.
In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Is AST SpaceMobile Ready for Scalable Growth With BlueBird 6?
Read MoreHide Full Article
Key Takeaways
BlueBird 6 is the first next-gen satellite delivering high-speed mobile Internet direct to smartphones.
ASTS says BlueBird 6 has a ~2,400-sq-ft phased-array antenna, 3.5x larger and delivering 10x more capacity.
ASTS plans 45-60 to launch satellites by the end of 2026, add factories, and partner with telecom companies.
AST SpaceMobile, Inc.’s ((ASTS - Free Report) ) latest and most advanced communications satellite, BlueBird 6, is scheduled for launch by ISRO on the LVM3 rocket on Dec. 21, 2025. It was earlier scheduled to launch on Dec.15, but the launch was delayed due to an undisclosed reason. It is the first of its next-generation satellites designed to deliver high-speed mobile Internet directly to regular smartphones from space, without any special equipment.
BlueBird 6 has the largest commercial phased-array antenna in low Earth orbit at nearly 2,400 square feet, making it 3.5 times bigger than BlueBird 1–5 and capable of delivering 10 times more data capacity.
AST SpaceMobile is speeding up its satellite production and plans to launch 45-60 satellites by the end of 2026, enabling continuous mobile coverage across the United States and selected markets. AST SpaceMobile has partnered with major telecom companies like Rakuten, AT&T, and Verizon to provide customers easy access to its technology. It also gained long-term L-band spectrum rights through the Ligado acquisition, helping it expand globally and offer satellite cellular services more independently.
Beyond BlueBird 6’s launch, ASTS is rapidly expanding its manufacturing footprint by adding two new factories in Texas and Florida, boosting its satellite production capacity. By launching more satellites and working with major telecom partners, ASTS builds continuous coverage and generates long-term revenues in the future.
How Are Other Competitors Performing?
AST SpaceMobile faces competition from Viasat, Inc. ((VSAT - Free Report) ) and Iridium Communications Inc. ((IRDM - Free Report) ). Iridium is expanding its global satellite network and PNT services to provide a reliable and secure connectivity with navigation for IoT, critical infrastructure, and autonomous systems, leading to its long-term growth. Iridium is working with partners like Deutsche Telekom to use its satellites to connect devices directly worldwide. Iridium partnered with Vodafone to make IoT devices stay connected worldwide, including in remote areas, by using its satellites alongside regular mobile networks.
Viasat recently launched the ViaSat-3 F2 satellite, which increases network capacity and provides faster and improved Internet services across America for commercial, consumer, and defense users. Viasat makes a contract with the U.S. Space Force to build a secure dual-band satellite system offering reliable military communications for future missions. Viasat’s satellite business is growing strongly due to higher-paying customers, rising in-flight Wi-Fi demand, and efficient use of bandwidth, giving it a competitive edge.
ASTS’ Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates
AST SpaceMobile shares have skyrocketed 186.6% over the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 21.1%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, AST SpaceMobile trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 95.11, well above the industry.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AST SpaceMobile’s bottom line for 2025 has declined 8.16% to a loss of $1.06, while the estimate for 2026 has declined 8.8% to a loss of .74 cents over the past 60 days.
Image: Bigstock
Is AST SpaceMobile Ready for Scalable Growth With BlueBird 6?
Key Takeaways
AST SpaceMobile, Inc.’s ((ASTS - Free Report) ) latest and most advanced communications satellite, BlueBird 6, is scheduled for launch by ISRO on the LVM3 rocket on Dec. 21, 2025. It was earlier scheduled to launch on Dec.15, but the launch was delayed due to an undisclosed reason. It is the first of its next-generation satellites designed to deliver high-speed mobile Internet directly to regular smartphones from space, without any special equipment.
BlueBird 6 has the largest commercial phased-array antenna in low Earth orbit at nearly 2,400 square feet, making it 3.5 times bigger than BlueBird 1–5 and capable of delivering 10 times more data capacity.
AST SpaceMobile is speeding up its satellite production and plans to launch 45-60 satellites by the end of 2026, enabling continuous mobile coverage across the United States and selected markets. AST SpaceMobile has partnered with major telecom companies like Rakuten, AT&T, and Verizon to provide customers easy access to its technology. It also gained long-term L-band spectrum rights through the Ligado acquisition, helping it expand globally and offer satellite cellular services more independently.
Beyond BlueBird 6’s launch, ASTS is rapidly expanding its manufacturing footprint by adding two new factories in Texas and Florida, boosting its satellite production capacity. By launching more satellites and working with major telecom partners, ASTS builds continuous coverage and generates long-term revenues in the future.
How Are Other Competitors Performing?
AST SpaceMobile faces competition from Viasat, Inc. ((VSAT - Free Report) ) and Iridium Communications Inc. ((IRDM - Free Report) ). Iridium is expanding its global satellite network and PNT services to provide a reliable and secure connectivity with navigation for IoT, critical infrastructure, and autonomous systems, leading to its long-term growth. Iridium is working with partners like Deutsche Telekom to use its satellites to connect devices directly worldwide. Iridium partnered with Vodafone to make IoT devices stay connected worldwide, including in remote areas, by using its satellites alongside regular mobile networks.
Viasat recently launched the ViaSat-3 F2 satellite, which increases network capacity and provides faster and improved Internet services across America for commercial, consumer, and defense users. Viasat makes a contract with the U.S. Space Force to build a secure dual-band satellite system offering reliable military communications for future missions. Viasat’s satellite business is growing strongly due to higher-paying customers, rising in-flight Wi-Fi demand, and efficient use of bandwidth, giving it a competitive edge.
ASTS’ Price Performance, Valuation and Estimates
AST SpaceMobile shares have skyrocketed 186.6% over the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 21.1%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, AST SpaceMobile trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 95.11, well above the industry.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AST SpaceMobile’s bottom line for 2025 has declined 8.16% to a loss of $1.06, while the estimate for 2026 has declined 8.8% to a loss of .74 cents over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
AST SpaceMobile currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.