AST SpaceMobile (ASTS +0.11%) has enjoyed a huge run-up over the past couple of years, with the stock surging 400% since the start of 2025. The satellite company has made inroads with many major telecom companies to bring its satellite coverage to everyday standard cellphones.
The company is making progress and expanding its satellite constellation this year to extend coverage and move closer to generating steady revenue through commercial operations. It could be a key part of the growing space economy, which McKinsey says could reach $1.8 trillion by the year 2035.
With a significant market opportunity ahead, could buying AST SpaceMobile set you up for life? Let's dive into the business and its outlook to find out.
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AST SpaceMobile's big opportunity
AST SpaceMobile is developing a global cellular broadband network in space to provide high-speed connectivity directly to standard, unmodified mobile devices. The company sees a total addressable market (TAM) of nearly 6 billion mobile phones worldwide and aims to address the digital divide for the billions of people who currently lack access.
Over the past few years, the satellite company has partnered with more than 50 mobile network operators, collectively serving 3 billion subscribers worldwide. Beyond cellular coverage, AST also sees opportunities in government and military applications, including tactical non-terrestrial network connectivity for land, sea, and air.
AST sees itself as having a technical advantage. It holds roughly 3,800 patent claims and produces large Block 2 BlueBird satellites, which feature the largest communication array ever deployed in low Earth orbit at 2,400 square feet. Additionally, the company has developed custom application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chips that help increase data throughput to 120 megabits per second (Mbps) while reducing power consumption and production costs.
NASDAQ: ASTS
Key Data Points
For a company getting off the ground like AST SpaceMobile, funding is critical. It recently secured over $1 billion in aggregate contracted revenue commitments from commercial partners, including non-dilutive prepayments from major carriers like AT&T ($20 million), Verizon Communications ($45 million), and the Saudi Telecom Company ($175 million). As of November 2025, AST SpaceMobile says that it is fully funded to manufacture and launch over 100 satellites for worldwide service.
Here's what to expect from AST SpaceMobile in the coming months
The company is deploying its satellites in phases. Twenty-five satellites can provide initial non-continuous service in targeted markets. But it really needs 45 to 60 satellites in order to provide continuous service in the U.S., Europe, Japan, and other strategic markets -- a goal it hopes to reach by the end of 2026. Long-term, it aims to have 90 to 100 satellites, providing full global coverage and supporting additional markets.
Thus far, AST has put six production satellites into orbit. This includes five of its Block 1 BlueBird satellites (which are smaller at 693 square feet). It recently deployed its first Block 2 BlueBird satellite in December, which was a key goal entering 2025.
The company has an ambitious goal to launch 45 to 60 satellites. To accomplish this, it is switching to multisatellite launches, utilizing SpaceX Falcon 9, which can carry up to four of its Block 2 BlueBird satellites at once. Meanwhile, Blue Origin's New Glenn can carry up to eight Block 2 satellites at once. Its next launch is slated for late January or early February, with four launches planned through the end of March.
Investors should be aware that the company will incur high costs to do so, as each Block 2 BlueBird satellite costs between $19 million and $23 million. That said, the company says its $3.2 billion in cash and other funding sources will be enough to reach its goal. Another consideration is its competition from Starlink, which is rolling out its own direct-to-cell service texting, available in some areas to T-Mobile customers.
Can investing in AST SpaceMobile set you up for life?
AST SpaceMobile will be in the news in the coming months as it continues to launch satellites and expand its network. That said, analysts don't expect it to be profitable until 2027, and it could be a volatile ride along the way. However, if you are bullish on the space economy, AST SpaceMobile looks like a top space stock to consider today.
Can buying it set you up for life? That remains to be seen, as execution risk is very real. The company has solid potential, but as a long-term investor, you don't want to bet on a single stock to set you up for life, especially a speculative one like AST SpaceMobile. If you do invest, keep your position size at a level you're comfortable with and make sure it's part of a well-diversified portfolio.
