AST SpaceMobile, Inc. jumped 6% in premarket after hitting a new all-time high as investors continue to pile into space-communications names.
The stock is now up roughly 370% over the past year, fueled by a landmark satellite launch, an aggressive deployment roadmap and a friendlier U.S. policy backdrop for commercial space firms.
In late December, AST SpaceMobile confirmed the successful orbital launch of its BlueBird 6 spacecraft, the largest commercial communications array ever deployed in low Earth orbit.
The satellite's nearly 2,400-square-foot array is designed to deliver peak data rates of up to 120 Mbps directly to standard smartphones, marking a key step toward global, space-based cellular broadband. Management says BlueBird 6 begins the transition to scaled deployment, with plans to have 45–60 satellites in orbit by the end of 2026.
The spacecraft was built and tested in Midland, Texas, where AST now operates nearly 500,000 square feet of manufacturing and operations space and maintains agreements with more than 50 mobile network operators worldwide.
Momentum in space stocks broadly has also strengthened after a recent U.S. executive order prioritized commercial solutions and private investment across the space economy, explicitly highlighting satellite-enabled communications.
AST SpaceMobile is building a space-based cellular broadband network that connects directly to everyday 4G and 5G smartphones without hardware changes.
By flying powerful phased-array satellites in low Earth orbit and partnering with carriers such as AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone and others, AST aims to extend coverage to remote and underserved regions while boosting resilience for existing networks.
Investors over the past year are likely betting that AST's early technical lead, massive addressable market, high-profile carrier partnerships and clear policy tailwinds could translate into a dominant position in direct-to-device satellite connectivity, making ASTS one of the market's highest-momentum space stocks.
The stock is currently trading 23% above its 20-day simple moving average (SMA) and 52.7% above its 100-day SMA, demonstrating strong short-term and longer-term strength. Over the past 12 months, shares have increased 370.61% and are currently positioned closer to their 52-week highs than lows.
The RSI is at 59.70, which is considered neutral territory, while MACD is above its signal line, indicating bullish momentum. The combination of neutral RSI and bullish MACD suggests mixed momentum.
Investors are looking ahead to the next earnings report on March 2.
Analyst Consensus & Recent Actions: The stock carries a Hold Rating with an average price target of $61.08. Recent analyst moves include:
Below is the Benzinga Edge scorecard for AST SpaceMobile, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses compared to the broader market:
The Verdict: AST SpaceMobile’s Benzinga Edge signal reveals a classic “High-Flyer” setup. While the Momentum (98.67) confirms the strong trend, investors should remain cautious given the extreme valuation multiples highlighted by analysts.
Significance: Because ASTS carries significant weight in these funds, any significant inflows or outflows for these ETFs will likely force automatic buying or selling of the stock.
ASTS Price Action: AST SpaceMobile shares closed Thursday up 6.33% at $101.25, according to Benzinga Pro data.