AST SpaceMobile slips after satellite launch failure

AST SpaceMobile

20/04/2026 10:45

** Shares of satellite communications firm AST SpaceMobile ASTS.O fall 13.1% to $74.29 premarket

** New Glenn rocket, launched by Jeff Bezos-owned Blue Origin on Sunday, failed to deploy ASTS satellite into correct orbit

** Satellite placed too low to sustain operations with its on-board thruster technology, will be de-orbited - ASTS

** The satellite was an effort to build a space-based cellular broadband network to connect directly with smartphones, like Amazon's Leo or SpaceX's Starlink

** Five analysts rate ASTS "buy", five "hold" and two "sell"; median price target $91.69 - data compiled by LSEG

** As of last close, ASTS stock up 17.7% YTD

 (Reporting by Tharuniyaa Lakshmi in Bengaluru)

 ((tharuniyaa@thomsonreuters.com))