Why Hasn't AST SpaceMobile Shipped Satellites Yet?

AST SpaceMobile ($ASTS) rallies post-Fed as 48 Bluebirds sit in production. Anpanman breaks down the real story behind the delays.

In this episode, Anpanman discusses the Fed's quarter-point rate hike and how the resulting relief rally lifted AST SpaceMobile and the entire high-beta space sector, including Rocket Lab, Planet Labs, and Redwire. He explains why negative sentiment toward ASTS stock has spiked in recent weeks and why that negativity mirrors what's happening across nearly every momentum name in the market.

Anpanman walks through AST SpaceMobile's production update, including 48 Bluebird satellites currently in the manufacturing pipeline, new composite rings delivered by Antonov, and expanding shipping capacity. He compares the company's execution challenges to SpaceX's own historically difficult path with Falcon 9 and Starship, and explains why satellite shipments have been delayed due to rigorous testing.

The episode also covers direct-to-cell momentum in Europe, with Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Vodafone, and Telefonica all voicing support for a European satellite solution tied to AST SpaceMobile. Anpanman details new spectrum testing requests from the Space Development Agency and Space Force, addresses accusations that management misled investors, and offers advice on how retail investors can actually reach out to company IR.

00:00 Introduction

00:36 Fed Rate Hike and Market Reaction

01:48 Sentiment Turns Negative on High Beta Stocks

03:34 Execution vs Promotional Companies

04:55 Lessons from SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Starship

06:38 The Origin Story of Direct-to-Device

08:14 Production Line Criticism Debunked

09:33 PR Backlash: Damned If You Do

12:47 Sector-Wide Relief Rally, Not Just AST

15:56 Anonymous Accounts and Short Seller Tactics

17:07 Social Media's Effect on Investor Psychology

19:33 Why the Satellite Shipment Is Delayed

21:06 SpaceX Crew Launch Scheduling Conflicts

23:03 Reviewing AST's Actual PR Track Record

24:41 Addressing Claims That Management Lied

25:43 Blue Origin's New Glenn Setback Impact

29:39 Signs of Execution: Rings, Hiring, Regulatory Wins

33:09 How to Actually Get Access to Management

34:59 Closing Thoughts

🎙️ Catch all episodes on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5u6rTxenTvGw4STNbjswAk

👋 Connect with the host on X: https://x.com/spacanpanman

👕 Get the Gear: https://spacemob.printify.me/

📩 AST SpaceMobile Podcast Newsletter: https://ast-spacemobile-podcast.beehiiv.com/

#astspacemobile #DirectToCell #DeutscheTelekomSTILL NO SHIPMENT? #ASTS #Satellites #Bluebird