TLDR
- AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) stock jumped 8% on December 3 and another 17% on December 4 following BlueBird 6 satellite launch announcement
- BlueBird 6 launches December 15, 2025 from India featuring a 2,400 square foot phased array antenna with 10x data capacity of previous models
- Company plans five orbital launches by Q1 2026 with deployment every 1-2 months targeting 45-60 satellites in orbit by end of 2026
- AST SpaceMobile expanded manufacturing to 400,000 square feet in the U.S. with nearly 1,800 employees worldwide and 40 satellites in production
- The satellites enable direct cellular broadband to standard smartphones without special equipment or modifications
AST SpaceMobile stock rallied hard across two trading sessions after the company revealed its BlueBird 6 satellite launch date. Shares climbed 8.14% to $56.89 on December 3. The momentum continued with another 16.94% jump to $71.85 on December 4.
The catalyst was straightforward. AST SpaceMobile announced BlueBird 6 will launch December 15, 2025 from India’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The launch vehicle will be an ISRO LVM-3 rocket.
BlueBird 6 represents a major upgrade from previous satellites. The new model features nearly 2,400 square feet of phased array antenna. That’s 3.5 times larger than BlueBirds 1-5.
Data capacity gets a serious boost too. BlueBird 6 handles 10 times more data than earlier models. The satellite was built at AST SpaceMobile’s headquarters.
Launch Schedule Points to Rapid Deployment
Traders responded to the company’s aggressive timeline. AST SpaceMobile plans five orbital launches by the end of Q1 2026. That works out to one launch every one to two months on average.
The target is clear. Get 45-60 satellites in orbit by the end of 2026. That number would enable continuous coverage across the United States and select international markets.
The production pipeline backs up these claims. AST SpaceMobile has 40 satellites worth of hardware nearing completion in early 2026. Manufacturing capacity sits at 400,000 square feet of U.S. facilities.
The company operates nearly 500,000 square feet of manufacturing and operations space worldwide. CEO Abel Avellan stressed the importance of onshoring production. More than 1,800 professionals now work for AST SpaceMobile, with most based in the United States.
Manufacturing Expansion Removes Key Bottleneck
AST SpaceMobile expanded facilities in both Texas and Florida. This increase in production capacity addresses a concern investors previously flagged. More space means faster satellite production cycles.
The focus on American manufacturing aligns with current political trends. Bringing high-tech production back to U.S. soil resonates with policymakers and investors alike.
“Our next-generation satellites will soon enable ubiquitous cellular broadband coverage direct to everyday smartphones from space,” Avellan said. “As an American company, we are proud to demonstrate U.S. leadership in space innovation while pioneering the next era of global connectivity.”
The technology offers a unique advantage. AST SpaceMobile delivers direct-to-smartphone service using standard unmodified mobile devices. No special hardware required. No subscriber equipment to install.
This simplicity differentiates AST SpaceMobile from competitors. Users don’t need to buy new phones or install extra gear. The service works with existing devices.
The company has contracts worth over $1 billion in committed revenue potential. Partnerships include Vodafone Idea in India and multiple U.S. carriers. The 52-week high reflects growing investor confidence in the space-based 5G network model.
BlueBird 6 will be the largest commercial phased array antenna ever deployed in low Earth orbit. The satellite supports both commercial and government applications. Previous execution concerns are fading as launch dates get confirmed and manufacturing scales up.
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