AST SpaceMobile: 3 Key Takeaways for Long-Term Investors

On its third-quarter 2026 business update call, held on Nov. 9, 2026, AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ:ASTS) announced plans to build its own reusable rocket alongside securing $1 billion in non-dilutive Japanese government funding. Gaining control over launch schedules and securing non-dilutive capital significantly reduce execution risks for the satellite network build-out. Three things management said stand out.

1. Building Blacklift Secures Dedicated Launch Access

AST SpaceMobile is developing a 20-ton reusable rocket called Blacklift to lower launch expenses and eliminate reliance on third-party launch schedules. Reusable rockets give the business owner economic benefits and direct control over its orbital deployment schedule starting in late 2028.

Blacklift is our purpose build reusable rocket to deploy BlueBird into low Earth orbit. It is a 20-ton vehicle able to carry up to five BlueBirds per launch, with initial launches planned for late 2028.
-- Abel Avellan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

2. Custom Chips Deliver a Tenfold Boost in Satellite Capacity

The company is pulling forward its next-generation application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) -- a custom microchip designed for high-speed signal processing -- to BlueBird satellite 34. This hardware shift increases data throughput tenfold while keeping monthly factory output on track for six satellites in December 2026.

We made a strategic decision to pull forward our next-generation ASIC from BlueBird 50 to BlueBird 34. The ASIC delivered 10x improvement in processing bandwidth compared with the Block 1 BlueBirds in orbit today.
-- Abel Avellan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

3. Sovereign Partnerships Drive Non-Dilutive Capital Growth

International governments want national control over satellite communications, creating opportunities for joint ventures and dedicated regional constellations. Japan's $1 billion subsidy demonstrates how sovereign demand provides capital without diluting existing shareholder equity.

On the sovereign front, we are seeing a trend of large countries and regional bodies looking to replicate owned resilient communications in orbit. Driven by a desire for greater operational control over communications in their territory.
-- Scott Wisniewski, President

Looking Ahead

Commercial deployment and Space Force contracts are accelerating. Proprietary phased arrays and $3.2 billion in cash provide key advantages as management tracks production throughput.

I am pleased to confirm that we remain on track to meet our full year 2026 revenue guidance of $150 million to $200 million.
-- Andrew Johnson, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Legal Officer

Long-term growth depends on manufacturing execution and launch control.

Looking ahead, our priorities for '26 and '27 are clear: advanced service readiness across our initial markets, complete the transition to ASIC enabled production, scale constellation deployment, and be the direct to device partner of choice for mobile network operators, technology leaders and the U.S. government.
-- Abel Avellan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends AST SpaceMobile. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.