AST SpaceMobile shares surge 19.19% after-hours as BlueBird 6 satellite launch and commercial agreements drive optimism.

AST SpaceMobile Inc. (ASTS) surged 19.19% in after-hours trading, driven by renewed investor optimism over its upcoming BlueBird 6 satellite launch on December 15, 2025. The satellite, designed to enhance space-based broadband capabilities, marks a critical step toward commercializing its global connectivity network. The company also announced expanded manufacturing operations in Texas and Florida, doubling its workforce to accelerate BlueBird production, and secured $1.15 billion in convertible notes to strengthen its balance sheet. Strategic partnerships with Verizon, stc Group, and Vodafone, alongside a $175 million prepayment from stc, further solidified commercial momentum. Analysts from Deutsche Bank and Clear Street raised price targets to $81–$87, reflecting confidence in ASTS’s ability to scale its satellite constellation and capitalize on unmet global connectivity demand.