Ast Spacemobile IncBB7 satellite lost due to rocket failure, but FCC authorization and speed record are positives

Crossroads Capital's second-quarter 2026 investor letter highlighted AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS), citing its transition from R&D startup to operational scaleup. The fund noted that the BB7 satellite launched on April 19 but was lost when Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket failed during deployment, resulting in a roughly $125 million write-off partially covered by launch insurance. AST SpaceMobile reported modest first-quarter revenue from gateways and government milestones, reaffirmed guidance, and held approximately $3.5 billion in cash. The FCC granted commercial authorization for SpaceMobile service in the United States covering up to 248 satellites, and Block 1 satellites set a 98.9 Mbps peak-speed record to unmodified smartphones.
Ast Spacemobile IncBB7 satellite lost due to rocket failure, but FCC authorization and speed record are positives
New Glenn rocket failure caused loss of satellite and write-off