05/11/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/11/2026 14:41
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Except as otherwise noted or where the context requires otherwise, references in this report (this "Quarterly Report") to "we," "us" or the "Company" refer to AST SpaceMobile, Inc. and references to our "management" refer to our officers and directors.
The following discussion and analysis of the Company's financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report and with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, including our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes contained therein. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to "dollars" and "$" in this Quarterly Report are to, and all monetary amounts in this Quarterly Report are presented in, U.S. dollars.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report includes "forward-looking statements" for the purposes of federal securities laws that are not historical facts and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected and projected. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this Quarterly Report including, without limitation, statements in this "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" regarding the Company's financial position, business strategy and the plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Words such as "expect," "believe," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "seek," "plan," "predict," "potential," and variations and similar words and expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report may include, for example, statements about:
Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance, but reflect management's current beliefs, based on information currently available. A number of factors could cause actual events, performance or results to differ materially from the events,
performance and results discussed in the forward-looking statements. For information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. The Company's securities filings can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Overview
We are building the first and only global Cellular Broadband network in space to be accessible directly by everyday smartphones (2G/4G-LTE/5G devices) for commercial use, and other applications for government use utilizing our extensive intellectual property ("IP") and patent portfolio. The SpaceMobile Service is being designed to provide cost-effective, high-speed Cellular Broadband services to end-users who are out of terrestrial cellular coverage using existing mobile devices. The SpaceMobile Service currently is planned to be provided by a constellation of high-powered, large phased-array satellites in low Earth orbit ("LEO") using low-band and mid-band spectrum controlled by MNOs.
On March 22, 2025, we and certain of our subsidiaries entered into certain definitive agreements with Ligado Networks LLC ("Ligado LLC") and its subsidiaries for usage rights for mid-band spectrum, which were approved by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the "Bankruptcy Court") on June 23, 2025. Ligado's Chapter 11 plan was confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court on or about September 29, 2025. Subject to the completion of certain conditions, including regulatory approval, as a result of the transaction with Ligado, we expect our network will be enhanced by our long-term access to up to 45 MHz of the lower mid-band satellite spectrum in the United States ("U.S.") and Canada through our usage agreements. In addition, on September 25, 2025, we completed the acquisition of an entity that holds certain S-Band International Telecommunication Union ("ITU") priority rights to Mobile Satellite Services frequencies in the range of 1980-2010 MHz and 2170-2200 MHz, for use in LEO. We expect the acquisition will further enhance our network by up to 60 MHz of mid-band satellite spectrum globally.
As of March 31, 2026, our IP portfolio consists of approximately 3,900 patent and patent pending claims worldwide, of which approximately 2,000 have been officially granted or allowed. This includes 38 patent families worldwide. Our patents have various terms expiring starting 2039. We are headquartered in Texas where we operate our satellite assembly, integration and testing ("AIT") facilities. We also have engineering and development centers elsewhere in the United States, India and Scotland, and engineering, development and production centers in Spain and Israel. Our global footprint was approximately 450,000 square feet as of March 31, 2026.
We intend to work with MNOs to offer the SpaceMobile Service to the MNOs' end-user customers. Our vision is that users will not need to subscribe to the SpaceMobile Service directly through us, nor will they need to purchase any new or additional equipment. Instead, users will be able to access the SpaceMobile Service when prompted on their mobile device that they are no longer within range of the land-based facilities of the MNOs or will be able to purchase a plan directly with their existing mobile provider. We intend to seek to use a revenue-sharing business model for the SpaceMobile Service in our agreements with MNOs.
The SpaceMobile Service is expected to be highly attractive to MNOs as it will enable them to improve and differentiate their service offering without significant incremental capital investments. The SpaceMobile Service is expected to enable MNOs to augment and extend their coverage without building towers or other land-based infrastructure, including where it is not cost-justified or is difficult due to geographical challenges. As a result of the incremental coverage created by the planned SpaceMobile Service, we believe that MNOs will have the opportunity to increase subscribers' average revenue per user.
We also intend to leverage our patented technology, including the large phased array and high power capability of our BB satellites, for a variety of non-communication and communication applications in the government sector. To this end, we have entered into agreements with the U.S. government either directly or through prime contractors to perform certain tasks.
On April 1, 2019, we launched our first test satellite, BlueWalker 1, which was used to validate our satellite to cellular architecture and was capable of managing communications delays from LEO and the effects of doppler in a satellite to ground cellular environment using the 4G-LTE protocol.
We launched our BW3 test satellite on September 10, 2022, and announced the completion of the deployment of the communications phased array antenna of the BW3 test satellite in orbit on November 14, 2022. Using the BW3 test satellite, we successfully completed two-way 5G voice calls directly to standard unmodified smartphones, achieved repeated successful download speeds of above 21 Mbps to standard unmodified smartphones and spectral efficiency of approximately 3 bits per second per hertz. We intend to continue testing capabilities of the BW3 test satellite for internal use purposes.
We launched five Block 1 BB satellites on September 12, 2024. The Block 1 BB satellites are of similar size and weight to the BW3 test satellite and have ten times higher throughput than the BW3 test satellite. In October 2024, we completed the deployment of the communications phased array antennas and Q/V antennas in orbit and performed a series of monitoring tests and activities to confirm the successful initial operations of the Block 1 BB satellites. In January 2025, we successfully made the first SpaceMobile video call from space with Vodafone using standard unmodified smartphones. In February 2025, we completed the voice and video call tests on standard unmodified smartphones with AT&T and Verizon in the U.S. and also completed the tests for non-communication applications for the U.S. government. All five Block 1 BB satellites have participated in the tests at various stages. In April 2025, together with Rakuten Mobile, Inc., we successfully conducted a two-way broadband video call in front of a live audience using unmodified smartphones on the
SpaceMobile network enabled by a Block 1 BB satellite in orbit today. On July 21, 2025, we and AT&T made the first-ever VoLTE call and short message service over satellite using AT&T's spectrum and core network with a standard unmodified cell phone. On October 2, 2025, together with Bell Canada, we achieved Canada's first-ever space-based 4G VoLTE voice call, broadband data connection, and video streaming using everyday smartphones. We have deployed and released many fixed cells over the continental U.S. to our MNO and Original Equipment Manufacturer partners as the reference cells for network integration. We continue to test the spectrum quality of those fixed cells and have received approval to activate fixed cells from an MNO. In addition, we have validated satellite fixed cell handover, which demonstrated our ability to seamlessly handover cell service from one satellite to the other without impacting cell service. We expect to continue testing for SpaceMobile Service automation including beta testing prior to rollout of initial noncontinuous SpaceMobile Service in select markets including the United States, Europe, Japan and other strategic markets.
On December 23, 2025, we launched our BB6 satellite. The Block 2 BB satellites feature an up to approximately 2,400 square feet phased array, the largest phased array ever deployed in a LEO for commercial use, which is more than three times larger than the phased array of the Block 1 BB satellites and designed to deliver up to 10 times the bandwidth capacity of the Block 1 BB satellites. We believe the larger aperture array is expected to provide greater spectrum reuse, enhanced signal strength and increased capacity, thereby reducing the necessary number of satellites to achieve service coverage as compared to smaller apertures. On February 10, 2026, we successfully deployed BB6. The performance of BB6 is driven by several breakthroughs in space-based architecture. The large antenna array allows the satellite to transmit and receive signals from standard handheld devices. Further, the large aperture enables highly precise beamforming, creating narrower, more focused coverage areas. This precision minimizes interference, maximizes network capacity and provides a consistent high-quality user experience for Cellular Broadband services, including voice, data and video. In addition, when we introduce our own AST5000 ASIC chip in the Block 2 BB satellites, we expect to achieve materially greater throughput capacity of up to 40 MHz per beam to continue to support 120 Mbps peak data rates and up to 10,000 MHz of processing bandwidth per Block 2 BB satellite, require less power and offer a lower overall unit cost. We have commenced production of Block 2 BB satellites using our ASIC chip. In parallel to assembly, integration and testing of Block 2 BB satellites based on our ASIC chip, we expect to continue to assemble and launch Block 2 BB satellites based on FPGA chips.
On April 19, 2026, during the New Glenn 3 mission, our Block 2 BB7 satellite was placed into a lower than planned orbit by the upper stage of the launch vehicle. While the satellite separated from the launch vehicle and powered on, the altitude was too low to sustain operations with its on-board thruster technology and was de-orbited. In connection with the loss of the Block 2 BB7 satellite, we expect a replacement launch pursuant to the terms of the applicable contract with the launch provider. The total loss associated with this event is expected to be consistent with the carrying value of this initial satellite. We currently estimate the carrying value of the satellite to be in the range of $155.0 million to $160.0 million. Estimated carrying value is preliminary and subject to revision as we finalize our analysis. We will account for this event as an asset write-off in the second quarter of 2026. We maintained launch insurance coverage for this launch that covered a portion of the satellite and launch costs. We have filed claims with the insurance providers which, as of the date of this Quarterly Report, have not yet been completed. Insurance recovery will be recognized in the period in which realization is probable.
We have recognized revenue from completion of performance obligations in agreements with the U.S. government either directly or indirectly through prime contractors utilizing the initial BB satellites and expect to continue to recognize revenue as and when we complete the remaining performance obligations under the agreements. We have also generated revenue from the sale of gateway equipment, software and related services to MNOs and expect to continue to generate revenue as MNOs build out ground infrastructure for commercial readiness. We continue to plan to utilize the initial BB satellites to initiate a limited, noncontinuous SpaceMobile Service in targeted geographical markets, including in the United States. We believe initiation of limited, noncontinuous SpaceMobile Service, as well as completing the milestones under the agreements with the U.S. government and prime contractors for the U.S. government, will help to demonstrate the advantages of our satellite-based Cellular Broadband service in the market.
The SpaceMobile Service has not been launched and therefore has not yet generated any revenue. Our planned non-geostationary orbit constellation will provide services from LEO that rely on the use of RF spectrum. We have received FCC authorization to deploy our 248 satellite network including operating in the low-band IMT terrestrial frequencies domestically and internationally, as well as Q/V band feeder links in the V band. Additionally, we rely on contractual agreements with third parties to access some of the spectrum we will utilize to provide services.
We have entered into a space-based wireless connectivity agreement with AT&T to provide SpaceMobile Service to AT&T's end users for use within the continental U.S. (excluding Alaska) and Hawaii. On December 18, 2025, we entered into a reseller agreement with our and Vodafone's 50/50 jointly owned European satellite service business headquartered in Luxembourg ("SatCo") to exclusively distribute SpaceMobile Service to MNOs in Europe, the UK and certain other markets. We also have an agreement with Vodafone to provide SpaceMobile Services to Vodafone's end users outside of the markets covered by our agreement with SatCo. On October 8, 2025, we announced the signing of a definitive commercial agreement with Verizon to provide direct-to-cellular SpaceMobile Service when needed for Verizon customers within the continental U.S. (excluding Alaska) and Hawaii. On October 29, 2025, we entered into a ten-year commercial agreement with Saudi Telecom Company ("STC") to enable direct-to-device satellite mobile connectivity across Saudi Arabia and key regional markets. We currently have partnerships with nearly 60 MNOs with over 3 billion subscribers globally. We are also expanding our efforts on ground infrastructure development for commercial readiness and integrating our SpaceMobile Service into the MNOs' infrastructure to initiate commercial services.
We have entered into launch agreements with multiple launch service providers which will enable us to continue our planned launch campaign to launch over 60 Block 2 BB satellites. We have commenced our launch campaign with the launch of BB6 on December 23, 2025 and continue to target approximately 45 BB satellites by the end of 2026, at a cadence of one launch approximately every one to two months on average. We have continued to assemble and test the Block 2 BB satellites in accordance with our plan to meet this launch
campaign to enable Continuous SpaceMobile Service coverage across key markets such as the United States, Europe, Japan and other strategic markets as well as to facilitate U.S. government applications. Continuous SpaceMobile Service means with respect to a particular geographical market close to 100% reliable persistent service across the geographical areas within certain latitudes and a substantially high degree of reliable persistent service across the remaining geographical areas outside the said latitudes. The timing of launch of the Block 2 BB satellites is contingent on a number of factors including satisfactory and timely completion of the assembly and testing of the Block 2 BB satellites, readiness of the launch vehicle, logistics and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.
We are developing a phased satellite deployment plan and a corresponding commercial launch plan of the SpaceMobile Service based on targeted geographical markets to provide the SpaceMobile Service to the most commercially attractive MNO markets. This prioritization of coverage is designed to minimize the capital required to initiate and operate commercial service that generates cash flows from operating activities sooner. We expect that such a successful commercial service would enable us to attract additional capital to continue to assemble and launch additional BB satellites to expand our capacity and geographic coverage area, although there can be no assurance that such capital would be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all.
We are accelerating our procurement and production of Block 2 BB satellites in alignment with our launch campaign. Supplier agreements and orders are in place for the procurement of materials and components needed, in accordance with our production plan, for the assembly, integration and testing of a large majority of the planned constellation of over 90 BB satellites.
Our manufacturing, assembly, and testing strategy for Block 2 BB satellites includes continuous production and assembly of various components and subsystems for economies of scale, cost efficiencies, and unlocking capacity constraints, to build sufficient quantity of components and subsystems readily available on hand to be able to complete the final integration and testing of the required number of Block 2 BB satellites closer to the planned launch timelines. We have completed our planned investments to increase the capacity to assemble, integrate, and test up to six Block 2 BB satellites per month. As the planned capacity has been achieved, we continue to accelerate our manufacturing, assembly, integration and testing to reach the production run rate of up to six Block 2 BB satellites per month to meet our planned launches in 2026. As of the date of this Quarterly Report, we have completed fully assembled microns for up to 33 BB satellites which include the BB satellites shipped or launched. BB8 to BB33 are in various stages of production and integration including certain satellites in final pre-shipment quality review.
We plan to achieve noncontinuous SpaceMobile Service in the selected, targeted geographical markets with the launch and operation of a total of 25 BB satellites (five Block 1 BB satellites and 20 Block 2 BB satellites). We believe we can enable Continuous SpaceMobile Service coverage across key markets such as the United States, Europe, Japan and other strategic markets with the launch and operation of a total of approximately 45 to 60 BB satellites, and achieve Continuous SpaceMobile Service in all targeted geographical markets to meet our long term business goals with the launch and operation of a total of approximately 90 BB satellites. We anticipate launching and deploying additional satellites beyond the initial 90 satellites in order to enhance coverage and system capacity in response to incremental market demand. Continuous coverage is not expected to be available at all times in certain areas due to numerous factors, including number of active satellites in the region, latitude coverage range, and other factors. Our current plan is subject to numerous uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, including satisfactory and timely completion of assembly and testing of the satellites, regulatory approvals, readiness of launch vehicles, availability of launch windows by the launch providers, logistics, our ability to raise additional capital for manufacturing of satellites and launch payments beyond the currently funded constellation size, proposed orbits and resulting satellite coverage, launch costs, ability to enter into agreements with MNOs and other factors. We may adopt a strategy for commercial launch of the SpaceMobile Service, including the nature and type of services offered and the geographic markets where we may launch such services, that may differ materially from our current plan.
We are an early stage company and, as such, we are subject to all of the risks associated with early stage companies. Please refer to Risk Factors contained in Part I, "Item 1A. Risk Factors" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.
Impact of Global Macroeconomic Conditions and Geopolitical Conflicts
We continue to closely monitor the impact of macroeconomic conditions, including inflation expectations, changes to fiscal and monetary policies, changes in interest rates, volatility in the capital markets, supply chain challenges, changes in U.S. trade policy, including with respect to tariffs, and geopolitical conflicts on all aspects of our business across geographies, including how it has and may continue to impact our operations, workforce, suppliers, and our ability to raise additional capital to fund operating and capital expenditures.
Changes in the prices of satellite materials due to inflation, supply chain challenges, the impact of tariffs and other macroeconomic factors may affect our capital costs estimates to build and launch the satellite constellation and adversely affect our financial condition. The extent of impact of these factors on our business will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence at this time. To date, these factors have not had a material impact to our technology development efforts or results of our operations. However, if macroeconomic conditions deteriorate or there are unforeseen developments, our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.
While the tariffs imposed on certain supply chain products manufactured in several jurisdictions have not had a material impact to our operations, the U.S. government may in the future announce, reimpose or increase these tariffs or expand them to other jurisdictions which may have a material impact to our technology development efforts or results of our operations. Our operations in Israel constitute approximately 1% of our consolidated total assets and approximately 7% of our consolidated total operating expenses. To date, our operations in Israel have not been materially impacted by the geopolitical conflict in the Middle East. We currently do not expect potential interruptions to our operations in Israel to have a material impact on the Company.
Factors Affecting Comparability of Our Future Results of Operations to Our Historical Results of Operations
Our historical financial performance has been, and we expect our financial performance in the future to be, driven by our ability to execute on our strategy. We believe that our future results of operations could differ materially from the historical results of operations as we initiate the limited, noncontinuous SpaceMobile Service in certain targeted geographical markets, complete the deployment of the planned constellation, complete the development and introduction of the next generation of satellites, secure additional contracts with the U.S. government or its prime contractors for non-commercial use of our BB satellites, enter into commercial arrangements with additional MNOs including contracts to sell gateway equipment, software and related services, close our proposed transaction with Ligado and related financing, and recognize the asset write-off of the Block 2 BB7 satellite.
Components of Results of Operations
Products Revenues
Products revenues primarily consist of the sale of gateway equipment, software and related services to MNOs.
Services Revenues
Service revenues primarily consist of revenues from performance obligations completed under agreements with the U.S. government either directly or indirectly through prime contractors.
Cost of Revenues - Products
Costs of revenues - products primarily consist of those costs directly attributable to the sale of gateway equipment and software to MNOs.
Cost of Revenues - Services
Cost of revenues - services primarily consist of labor costs and sales commissions directly attributable to providing the service.
Engineering Services Costs
Engineering services costs are charged to expense as incurred. Engineering services costs consist primarily of the cost of employees and consultants involved in designing and developing the BB satellites, managing the network and satellite operations centers, and indirectly supporting the assembly, integration and testing of the BB satellites, license cost, and general expenses related to AIT facilities and engineering development centers.
General and Administrative Costs
General and administrative costs primarily consist of compensation and related expenses for non-engineering personnel, office and facilities expenses, and professional services, including legal fees, accounting, and public relations. These costs also include insurance, software licensing and subscriptions.
Research and Development Costs
Research and development ("R&D") costs are charged to expense as incurred. R&D costs consist principally of development activities in which we typically engage third-party vendors for the design and development of electronic componentry, software, and mechanical deployment systems, and are largely driven by the achievement of milestones that trigger payments and costs of materials and supplies consumed in the development activities. R&D costs are expected to fluctuate quarter over quarter depending on new initiatives and achievement of milestones.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense includes depreciation expense related to property and equipment including the Block 1 BB satellites. We began depreciating the Block 1 BB satellites as of October 29, 2024 over their expected remaining useful lives of approximately 60 months.
Loss on Remeasurement of Warrant Liabilities
Private Placement Warrants issued by us are accounted for as liability-classified instruments at their initial fair value on the date of issuance. They are remeasured on each balance sheet date or on the date of exercise and changes in the estimated fair value are recognized as a gain or loss in the consolidated statements of operations.
Interest Expense
Interest expense primarily consists of cash interest payments and amortization of debt issuance costs associated with our debt arrangements and amortization of the Sound Point Credit Facility commitment fee.
Interest Income
Interest income consists of interest earned on cash and cash equivalents held in interest bearing demand deposit accounts and money market accounts and on our loan receivable from SatCo.
Other (Expense) Income, Net
Other income (expense), net primarily consists of non-operating expense and income, including induced conversion expense related to the repurchase of a portion of the 2032 4.25% Convertible Notes and the 2032 2.375% Convertible Notes and foreign exchange gains or losses.
Income Tax Expense
AST LLC is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes. Accordingly, all income, losses, and other tax attributes pass through to the members' income tax returns, and no U.S. federal and state and local provision for income taxes has been recorded for AST LLC in the consolidated financial statements. Certain foreign wholly-owned entities are taxed as corporations in the jurisdictions in which they operate, and accruals for such taxes are included in the consolidated financial statements.
Noncontrolling Interest
Noncontrolling interest primarily represents the equity interest in AST LLC held by members other than us. We attribute a portion of net income or loss generated at AST LLC to the noncontrolling interest based on their ownership interests. As of March 31, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the noncontrolling interest in AST LLC was approximately 23.1% and 23.9%, respectively. The decrease in noncontrolling interest percentage during the three months ended March 31, 2026 was a result of the issuance of Class A Common Stock in connection with the repurchase of a portion of the 2032 4.25% Convertible Notes and 2032 2.375% Convertible Notes, payment for a portion of the L-band Annual Payment and the Crown Castle Annual Payment in shares, issuance of Class A Common Stock under the October 2025 Sales Agreement, exercises of the Private Placement Warrants and Penny Warrants, redemptions of AST LLC Common Units in exchange for Class A Common Stock, exercises of options and vesting of restricted stock units.
Results of Operations
We report our results of operations under one operating segment. The following table sets forth a summary of our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 (in thousands), and the discussion that follows compares the three months ended March 31, 2026 to the three months ended March 31, 2025.
|
For the Three Months Ended |
||||||||||||||||
|
(unaudited) |
||||||||||||||||
|
2026 |
2025 |
$ Change |
% Change |
|||||||||||||
|
Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||
|
Products revenues |
$ |
13,406 |
$ |
375 |
$ |
13,031 |
* |
% |
||||||||
|
Services revenues |
1,329 |
343 |
986 |
* |
% |
|||||||||||
|
Total revenues |
14,735 |
718 |
14,017 |
* |
% |
|||||||||||
|
Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
|
Cost of revenues (exclusive of items shown separately below) |
||||||||||||||||
|
Cost of revenues - products |
11,063 |
- |
11,063 |
* |
% |
|||||||||||
|
Cost of revenues - services |
586 |
- |
586 |
* |
% |
|||||||||||
|
Engineering services costs |
84,097 |
27,204 |
56,893 |
* |
% |
|||||||||||
|
General and administrative costs |
43,657 |
18,384 |
25,273 |
* |
% |
|||||||||||
|
Research and development costs |
7,129 |
7,135 |
(6 |
) |
* |
% |
||||||||||
|
Depreciation and amortization |
17,615 |
10,958 |
6,657 |
61 |
% |
|||||||||||
|
Total operating expenses |
164,147 |
63,681 |
100,466 |
* |
% |
|||||||||||
|
Other (expense) income: |
||||||||||||||||
|
Loss on remeasurement of warrant liabilities |
(1,174 |
) |
(3,206 |
) |
2,032 |
(63 |
) |
% |
||||||||
|
Interest expense |
(24,278 |
) |
(4,736 |
) |
(19,542 |
) |
* |
% |
||||||||
|
Interest income |
26,998 |
8,196 |
18,802 |
* |
% |
|||||||||||
|
Other (expense) income, net |
(100,546 |
) |
(751 |
) |
(99,795 |
) |
* |
% |
||||||||
|
Total other (expense) income, net |
(99,000 |
) |
(497 |
) |
(98,503 |
) |
* |
% |
||||||||
|
Loss before income tax expense |
(248,412 |
) |
(63,460 |
) |
(184,952 |
) |
* |
% |
||||||||
|
Income tax expense |
(1,169 |
) |
(168 |
) |
(1,001 |
) |
* |
% |
||||||||
|
Net loss before allocation to noncontrolling interest |
(249,581 |
) |
(63,628 |
) |
(185,953 |
) |
* |
% |
||||||||
|
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest |
(58,569 |
) |
(17,922 |
) |
(40,647 |
) |
* |
% |
||||||||
|
Net loss attributable to common stockholders |
$ |
(191,012 |
) |
$ |
(45,706 |
) |
$ |
(145,306 |
) |
* |
% |
|||||
* Percentage greater than or equal to 100 or not meaningful
Products Revenues
Products revenues of $13.4 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively, were primarily attributable to sales of gateway equipment and software to MNOs.
Services Revenues
Services revenues of $1.3 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively, were primarily attributable to the completion of performance obligations under agreements with the U.S. government either directly as a prime contractor or indirectly through prime contractors.
Cost of Revenues - Products
Cost of product revenues of $11.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was primarily attributable to cost of gateway equipment and software. We did not separately present cost of revenues for gateway equipment sold for three months ended March 31, 2025.
Cost of Revenues - Services
Cost of service revenues of $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 was primarily attributable to labor costs and sales commissions in provision of services. We did not separately present cost of service revenues for three months ended March 31, 2025.
Engineering Services Costs
Total engineering services costs increased by $56.9 million to $84.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025. The increase was attributable to a $43.4 million increase in payroll and employee related costs driven by an increase in headcount and higher stock-based compensation expenses, a $6.8 million increase in consultants and professional fees, a $5.5 million increase in third-party engineering activities, equipment, and other overhead, including facilities costs, and a $1.2 million increase in travel expenses and other costs.
General and Administrative Costs
Total general and administrative costs increased by $25.3 million to $43.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025. The increase was attributable to a $17.2 million increase in payroll and employee related costs driven by an increase in headcount and higher stock-based compensation expenses, a $3.5 million increase in legal costs largely driven by our Spectrum Usage Rights Transaction and regulatory initiatives, a $1.3 million increase in consulting and other professional services, a $1.2 million increase in office and facilities expenses, and a $2.1 million increase in other expenses.
Research and Development Costs
Total R&D costs increased by less than $0.1 million to $7.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025. The increase in R&D costs was primarily attributable to the development and design of the Block 2 BB satellites beyond BB7.
Depreciation and Amortization
Total depreciation and amortization expense increased by $6.7 million, or 61%, to $17.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025. The increase was primarily attributable to higher depreciation expense associated with lab, assembly, and integration equipment.
Loss on Remeasurement of Warrant Liabilities
The fair value adjustment for Private Placement Warrants outstanding at March 31, 2026 resulted in a loss of $1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 as compared to a loss of $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The losses in the current period and in the prior year period were largely driven by increases in our share price which increased the fair value of warrant liabilities.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased by $19.5 million to $24.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025. The increase was largely due to an increase in interest expense recognized on new borrowings following March 31, 2025 that included the 2032 2.375% Convertible Notes, the 2036 2.00% Convertible Notes, the 2036 2.25% Convertible Notes, the UBS Bridge Financing Loan, and the Trinity Capital Equipment Loan, partially offset by decreases in interest expense recognized on the 2034 Convertible Notes, which we converted into shares of our Class A Common Stock on January 22, 2025.
Interest Income
Interest income increased by $18.8 million to $27.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2025. The increase was driven by a higher cash and cash equivalents balance held in interest bearing short-term money market funds.
Other (Expense) Income, Net
Other expense, net was $100.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, as compared to $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The approximately $99.7 million increase in other expense, net was primarily due to an approximately $89.8 million induced conversion expense related to repurchases of a portion of our 2032 4.25% Convertible Notes and 2032 2.375% Convertible Notes, a $4.9 million increase in loss from our equity method investment, a $2.5 million increase in finance charges and other borrowing related fees, and a $2.5 million increase in other charges.
Income Tax Expense
The provision for income taxes was $1.2 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. The consolidated effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and March 31, 2025 was (0.47%) and (0.26)%, respectively. Refer to Note 11 Income Taxes in the accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for further information.
Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest was $58.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 as compared to $17.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 2025. This increase in net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest was due to an increase in net loss generated at AST LLC, partially offset by a decrease in noncontrolling interest's ownership percentage in AST LLC.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our current sources of liquidity are cash and cash equivalents on hand. As of March 31, 2026, we had approximately $3,458.9 million of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash on hand, including $429.3 million of restricted cash. We believe our cash and cash equivalents on hand will be sufficient to meet our current working capital needs, planned operating expenses and capital expenditures for a period of the next 12 months from the date of this Quarterly Report.
The design, assembly, integration, testing and launch of satellites and related ground infrastructure is capital intensive. We continue to estimate the average capital costs, consisting of direct materials and launch costs, for a constellation of over 90 Block 2 BB satellites to be approximately $21.0 million to $23.0 million per satellite, with initial launches higher than that range and trending down over time as we optimize payloads and related launch terms and evaluate a multitude of launch opportunities. The estimated average capital cost per Block 2 BB satellite excludes cost of certain initial satellites used to validate satellite performance and operations and is based on securing future launch contracts with more favorable terms, diversifying our supply chain to include cost-effective and low-cost suppliers, cost reductions due to the benefits of economies of scale, continuous process improvements, and other factors. If we are unable to achieve the supply chain diversifications, cost reductions, process improvements, and secure favorable future launch contracts, the average capital cost of the Block 2 BB satellites will be higher and such variations could be material.
We believe we need to launch and operate a total of 25 BB satellites (five Block 1 BB satellites and 20 Block 2 BB satellites) in order to provide coverage to the most commercially attractive MNO markets. We believe we can enable Continuous SpaceMobile Service coverage across key markets such as the United States, Europe, Japan and other strategic markets with the launch and operation of a total of approximately 45 to 60 BB satellites and additional worldwide strategic markets with approximately 90 BB satellites. We believe that we are fully funded for our costs necessary to manufacture and launch a constellation of approximately 90 BB satellites.
We evaluate our market, product and coverage plans based upon the attractiveness of certain markets, our technology, regulatory concerns and our access to capital and other resources. We believe we can develop satellite configurations that target delivering service to certain attractive markets without the necessity of building a constellation which covers the entire globe. This modularity of our satellite configuration enables us to alter the timing and size of our satellite roll out and provides us flexibility to dynamically change our market plans and capital requirements. As a result, we believe we have the ability to accelerate or slow down our business plan depending upon the availability of capital to support our strategies.
We plan to raise additional capital through the issuance of equity, equity-linked or debt securities (secured or unsecured), secured or unsecured loans or other debt facilities, and credit from government or financial institutions or commercial partners. Our ability to access the capital markets during this period of volatility may require us to modify our current expectations. There can be no assurance that additional funds will be available to us on favorable terms or at all. If we cannot raise additional funds when needed in the future, our financial condition, results of operations, business and prospects may be materially and adversely affected.
Commitments
During the three months ended March 31, 2026, there were no material changes in the contractual minimum principal and interest payments required on all of our outstanding debt and operating leases described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, other than issuance of the 2036 2.25% Convertible Notes, repurchase of a portion of the 2032 4.25% Convertible Notes and the 2032 2.375% Convertible Notes, and repayment of the two Prosperity loans and as described below.
As of March 31, 2026, we had contractual commitments with third parties in the aggregate amount of approximately $540.0 - $560.0 million primarily related to R&D programs, operational services, capital improvements and procurement of BB satellite components needed, in accordance with our production plan, for the assembly, integration and testing necessary to complete the planned constellation of over 90 satellites. We have various rights to adjust the quantity of satellite components on the purchase orders and/or change the delivery timelines in accordance with our ongoing business plan. We also have rights to terminate these agreements in accordance with the terms of the agreements and potentially incur a termination fee in certain cases. In addition, we have launch agreements under which payments are due at scheduled milestones over the duration of the agreements. We have contractual rights to cancel these launches or terminate the related agreements at any time by paying a termination fee, and in certain cases without incurring a termination fee, and any excess payments made to the launch providers for these launches will be refunded to us. As of March 31, 2026, the minimum commitments related to future launches are approximately $200.0 - $250.0 million.
Spectrum Usage Rights Transaction and Related Financing
On January 5, 2025, AST LLC entered into a binding agreement (the "Strategic Collaboration Term Sheet") with Ligado LLC under which we will receive long-term access to up to 45 MHz of lower mid-band spectrum in the United States and Canada for direct-to-device satellite applications. The Strategic Collaboration Term Sheet was entered into as part of the restructuring of Ligado LLC, which together with certain of its direct and indirect subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court.
On March 22, 2025, pursuant to the Strategic Collaboration Term Sheet, we, AST LLC, Spectrum USA I, LLC, a subsidiary of AST LLC ("SpectrumCo") and Ligado entered into certain definitive agreements that, among other things, provided for (1) a $550.0 million contingent payment from us to Ligado, (2) SpectrumCo's obligation to make spectrum access usage payments of at least $80.0 million annually ("L-band Annual Payment") (with the option to pay the excess of the amount owed by Ligado to utilize the L-band spectrum in
our Class A Common Stock for the first three years), and revenue share payments in exchange for the right to use up to 40 MHz of the L-band spectrum, (3) our obligation to pay a usage fee amount due in cash (plus a 30% premium with respect to each such payment payable in our Class A Common Stock or cash at our discretion) (the "Crown Castle Annual Payment") for the right to use the up to 5 MHz of the 1670-1675 MHz Spectrum, and (4) issuance of 4,714,226 penny warrants ("Penny Warrants") on March 22, 2025 to Ligado, which were fully exercised for shares of our Class A Common Stock at an exercise price per share equal to $0.01 per share in the first quarter of 2026.
On June 23, 2025, the Bankruptcy Court approved the transactions (the "Spectrum Usage Rights Transaction") contemplated in the Strategic Collaboration Term Sheet. The closing of the Spectrum Usage Rights Transaction is subject to receipt of satisfactory regulatory approvals required for the proposed use of the spectrum, as well as other closing conditions. On or about September 29, 2025, the Bankruptcy Court confirmed Ligado's Chapter 11 plan.
Our obligation to make the L-band Annual Payment to Ligado began on June 23, 2025, and we have also commenced paying the Crown Castle Annual Payment. The total of the L-band Annual Payment and the Crown Castle Annual Payment payable by us that we have the option to pay in shares of our Class A Common Stock aggregates to approximately $85.4 million as of March 31, 2026.
Settlement Term Sheet
On June 13, 2025, we announced a Settlement Term Sheet (the "Term Sheet") among various parties including us, Ligado, Viasat, Inc. and Inmarsat. Pursuant to the Term Sheet, as long as Ligado's Chapter 11 plan is confirmed and as long as the financial sponsors of Ligado provide a backstop commitment to Ligado that is acceptable to us, in support of a full refund of payments by Ligado in the event applicable regulatory approvals are not obtained and the closing does not occur (the "Backstop Commitment"), we agreed that, with respect to the $550.0 million otherwise owed to Ligado in connection with the Spectrum Usage Rights Transaction, we would pay $420.0 million to Ligado for the benefit of Inmarsat on October 31, 2025, $100.0 million to Ligado for the benefit of Inmarsat on March 31, 2026 and $15.0 million to Ligado for the benefit of Inmarsat on receipt of specified regulatory approvals and the closing of the Spectrum Usage Rights Transaction. The remaining $15.0 million would be paid to Ligado at closing. On October 31, 2025 we made the first $420.0 million payment to Ligado for the benefit of Inmarsat. On or about March 31, 2026, we made the $100.0 million payment in accordance with the Term Sheet. Per the Term Sheet, the funds were intended to be for the benefit of Inmarsat and paid over to Inmarsat. However, by order of the Bankruptcy Court dated April 2, 2026, the $100.0 million payment has been placed in escrow. Distribution of these funds following their release from escrow is subject to further order of the Bankruptcy Court. The Backstop Commitment provided by Ligado's financial sponsors has been memorialized in an amendment to Ligado's debtor in possession financing arrangements and has been approved by the Bankruptcy Court. The funds under the $520.0 million Backstop Commitment will be available to be drawn by Ligado only in the event the applicable regulatory approvals are not obtained in accordance with the definitive documents between us and Ligado, and is subject to the satisfaction of certain other limited conditions. The proceeds of the Backstop Commitment can only be used to refund us for the amount that we paid to Ligado for the benefit of Inmarsat prior to receipt of the applicable regulatory approvals.
Sound Point Credit Facility
To support consideration payments in connection with the Ligado Transaction, on July 15, 2025 (the "Credit Facility Closing Date"), SpectrumCo entered into a credit agreement (the "Sound Point Credit Agreement") with Sound Point Agency LLC, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto. SpectrumCo has not yet drawn any funds under the Sound Point Credit Agreement. The Sound Point Credit Agreement provides for a non-recourse senior-secured delayed-draw term loan facility (the "Sound Point Credit Facility") in an aggregate principal amount of $550.0 million ("Loan Amount"). The Sound Point Credit Facility will be available to SpectrumCo to draw until October 5, 2026 with an option to extend for an additional 180 days ("Availability Period") subject to payment of an additional 1% fee on the Loan Amount. The Sound Point Credit Facility will be available to SpectrumCo upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, including, among others, (i) entry into security documents and other related documents, (ii) receipt of all required regulatory and FCC approvals relating to the Spectrum Usage Rights Transaction, (iii) confirmation and occurrence of certain bankruptcy-related events pertaining to Ligado and (iv) certain other customary conditions to funding. The Sound Point Credit Facility will be secured by substantially all of the assets of SpectrumCo and the newly formed subsidiary that will purchase and collect the receivables associated with the revenues generated from use of the L-band spectrum ("RevenueCo"). RevenueCo will also act as a guarantor under the Sound Point Credit Facility. SpectrumCo's assets are not available to satisfy the claims of creditors of us or AST LLC. Neither we nor AST LLC will be liable as a borrower or guarantor or otherwise for any payments owing in connection with the Sound Point Credit Facility, and the lenders' recourse to the assets of AST LLC will be limited to AST LLC's equity interests both in SpectrumCo and in RevenueCo.
The Sound Point Credit Facility requires SpectrumCo to pay a commitment fee equal to 2% of the Loan Amount, which SpectrumCo has fully paid. The Sound Point Credit Facility also includes a ticking fee equal to 0.15% of the Loan Amount payable on a monthly basis from the Credit Facility Closing Date to the date the Sound Point Credit Facility is drawn. If SpectrumCo terminates the Sound Point Credit Facility prior to the end of the Availability Period, it will be required to pay a termination fee, payable in cash or shares of our Class A Common Stock at SpectrumCo's option, ranging from 1% to 5% of the Loan Amount depending on when SpectrumCo terminates the Sound Point Credit Facility. The Sound Point Credit Facility also requires SpectrumCo to pay an upfront fee equal to 3% of the Loan Amount that will become payable when the Sound Point Credit Facility is drawn (and will act as a reduction to proceeds received) and some other fees that will become payable starting from the Credit Facility Closing Date. Loans drawn under the Sound Point Credit Facility will bear interest, at SpectrumCo's option, at either (i) Term SOFR plus an applicable margin of 8.0% per annum or (ii) an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin of 9.0% per annum. The scheduled maturity date will depend on the funding date, ranging from 48 to 60 months after funding, and any prepayments made prior to 30 months after the funding date will be subject to a premium (which decreases over time).
In addition to the Sound Point Credit Agreement, which has not been drawn under, on October 31, 2025, BackstopCo entered into the UBS
Loan Agreement with UBS AG, Stamford Branch, as lender. The UBS Loan Agreement provides for a cash collateralized UBS Loan Facility in an aggregate principal amount of $420.0 million. Refer to discussion below under "UBS Bridge Financing Loan" for further details.
No assurance can be provided that the Ligado transaction will be consummated or that the related financing will be disbursed. The Ligado transaction and the disbursement of the related financing are subject to a number of conditions, including regulatory approval. Moreover, even if the Ligado transaction is consummated, the benefits of the Ligado transaction will be subject to, among other things, integration, technology and regulatory risks. The Ligado transaction may significantly increase our indebtedness (though any debt incurred pursuant to the Sound Point Credit Facility will be non-recourse to us) and our annual required cash spend.
October 2025 Equity Distribution Agreement
On October 7, 2025, we entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement (the "October 2025 Sales Agreement" or "October 2025 ATM Equity Program") with B. Riley Securities, Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., BofA Securities, Inc., Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Roth Capital Partners, LLC, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., UBS Securities LLC, William Blair & Company, L.L.C and Yorkville Securities, LLC (collectively, the "agents") to sell shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock having an aggregate sale price of up to $800.0 million through an "at the market offering" program under which the agents acted as sales agents. The agents were entitled to total compensation at a commission rate of up to 3.0% of the gross sales price per share sold.
Under the October 2025 Sales Agreement, we issued 874,045 shares of our Class A Common Stock during three months ended March 31, 2026 and received proceeds of $80.3 million, net of commissions paid to the agents and transaction costs. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, we paid commission of approximately $0.4 million to the agents with respect to such sales. Having utilized virtually the entire capacity of the October 2025 ATM Equity Program, we terminated the October 2025 ATM Equity Program on March 17, 2026. Proceeds from the sale of our Class A Common Stock under the October 2025 Sales Agreement were used for general corporate purposes.
Prosperity Term Loan
In December 2021, concurrent with the purchase of real property and certain equipment in Midland, Texas, AST & Science Texas, LLC ("AST Texas") entered into a credit agreement with Lone Star State Bank of West Texas ("Lone Star"), succeeded by Prosperity Bank by merger to Lone Star, providing for a $5.0 million term loan secured by certain property (the "Term Loan Credit Agreement"). Borrowings under the term loan bear interest at a fixed rate equal to 4.20% per annum until December 7, 2026, and from December 8, 2026 until December 8, 2028 at a fixed rate per annum equal to 4.20% plus adjustment if the index rate (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement) is greater than 4.20%, subject to a maximum interest rate of 4.90% per annum.
On March 11, 2026, we repaid the principal amount, including accrued interest aggregating to approximately $4.2 million.
Prosperity Capital Equipment Loan
On August 14, 2023, we entered into a loan agreement with Lone Star, succeeded by Prosperity Bank by merger to Lone Star, as lender, providing for $15.0 million principal term loan commitment secured by certain real property fixtures and equipment in one of our Texas facilities (the "Lone Star Loan Agreement"). We drew the entire $15.0 million on September 19, 2023. The Lone Star Loan Agreement includes certain customary affirmative and negative covenants. As part of entering into the Master Equipment Financing Agreement (the "MEFA") with Trinity Capital, Inc., we and Prosperity Bank amended the Lone Star Loan Agreement whereby Prosperity Bank released the lien on certain real property fixtures and equipment and we pledged a $15.0 million deposit in the Lone Star Bank Money Market Fund as a security for the loan. Borrowings accrue interest at the Prime Rate plus 0.75%, subject to a ceiling rate. Interest payments are due and payable on a monthly basis. Interest payments began in September 2023 and principal payments began in April 2025. Principal repayments are due in 48 equal monthly installments until January 2029, the maturity date of the loan.
On March 11, 2026, we repaid the principal amount, including accrued interest aggregating to approximately $12.1 million.
Trinity Capital Equipment Loan
On June 27, 2025, we entered into the MEFA with Trinity Capital, Inc., as agent (the "Agent") and lender, and the other lenders party (the "Lenders") thereto, providing for a conditional commitment to provide financing in the total amount of up to $100.0 million. In 2025, we, the Agent and the Lenders executed four five-year Equipment Financing Schedules ("Schedules") to the MEFA (together with the Schedules, the "Agreements") borrowing a total of $50.5 million. The borrowings carry an aggregate monthly payment of approximately $1.1 million and an end of term payment of 9% of the drawn amounts. The Company received proceeds of approximately $49.1 million, net of debt issuance costs of approximately $0.1 million, commitment fee of approximately $0.8 million and other finance charges of approximately $0.5 million. The remaining amount of up to $49.5 million may be funded in one or more draws on or before June 30, 2027, subject to the satisfaction of various conditions.
Our obligations under the Agreements are secured by certain of our tangible assets. The MEFA contains customary affirmative and negative covenants. The MEFA also contains certain customary events of default that, if they occur, will be deemed to occur under all Schedules.
UBS Bridge Financing Loan
On October 31, 2025, BackstopCo entered into the UBS Loan Agreement with UBS AG, Stamford Branch, as lender. The UBS Loan Agreement provides for a cash collateralized UBS Loan Facility in an aggregate principal amount of $420.0 million. The UBS Bridge Financing Loan bears interest at a floating rate equal to Term SOFR plus 2.0% per annum and matures on the earlier of (a) October 31, 2028 and (b) the date on which the UBS Loan Facility shall be terminated or accelerated as provided in the UBS Loan Agreement. The UBS Bridge Financing Loan can be prepaid in whole or in part, without penalty or premium, subject to payment of any applicable breakage costs.
The UBS Loan Facility is secured by a first-priority lien on substantially all of BackstopCo's assets. We are not liable as a borrower or guarantor or otherwise for any payments owing in connection with the UBS Loan Facility. AST LLC will act as a limited guarantor under the UBS Loan Facility solely upon the occurrence of certain "bad boy" actions adverse to the lender by AST LLC or its affiliates, and the lender's recourse to the assets of AST LLC is limited to AST LLC's equity interests in BackstopCo. In addition, the affirmative and negative covenants contained in the UBS Loan Agreement (as described further below), apply to BackstopCo and/or AST LLC, as applicable.
The UBS Loan Agreement includes customary affirmative and negative covenants, including restrictions on additional indebtedness, liens, investments, asset dispositions, mergers, affiliate transactions, and dividends, as well as requirements relating to use of proceeds and compliance with specified agreements, among other covenants. Further, at all times following the UBS Loan Facility closing date until the maturity or termination of the UBS Loan Facility, BackstopCo is required to maintain cash or cash equivalents on deposit or credited to its collateral account in an amount equal to (or in excess of) 102.0% of the outstanding principal amount of the loan under the UBS Loan Facility. The UBS Loan Agreement also contains customary events of default (subject to grace periods, where applicable), including, among others, failure to pay principal or interest, cross-defaults to other agreements, breaches of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, the occurrence of a change in control and certain bankruptcy and insolvency events.
2032 4.25% Convertible Notes
On January 27, 2025, we issued $460.0 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2032 (the "2032 4.25% Convertible Notes"), including the exercise in full of the option granted to the initial purchasers to purchase up to $60.0 million aggregate principal amount of notes. The net proceeds of the 2032 4.25% Convertible Notes were $446.3 million after deducting the initial purchasers' discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us. We used approximately $44.5 million of the net proceeds to pay the cost of the privately negotiated capped call transactions (the "January 2025 Capped Calls"). The remaining net proceeds were used for working capital or other general corporate purposes. On November 4, 2025, we sold the January 2025 Capped Calls for net cash proceeds of approximately $74.5 million.
On July 3, 2025, July 31, 2025 and October 29, 2025, we completed the repurchase of $225.0 million, $135.0 million and $50.0 million, respectively, of the outstanding principal amount of the 2032 4.25% Convertible Notes in separate, privately negotiated repurchase transactions with a limited number of note holders for an aggregate repurchase price of approximately $502.9 million, $346.9 million and $161.1 million, respectively, which included accrued and unpaid interest. The repurchase was funded with the net proceeds from a registered direct offering of 9,450,268 shares, 5,775,635 shares and 2,048,849 shares, respectively, of our Class A Common Stock to the same note holders participating in the note repurchase.
On February 20, 2026 and February 23, 2026, we completed the repurchase of approximately $46.5 million of the outstanding principal amount of the 2032 4.25% Convertible Notes in separate, privately negotiated repurchase transactions with a limited number of note holders for an aggregate repurchase price of approximately $180.5 million. The repurchase was funded with the net proceeds from a registered direct offering of 1,862,741 shares of our Class A Common Stock to the same note holders participating in the note repurchase.
The 2032 4.25% Convertible Notes are our senior, unsecured obligations and bear interest at a fixed rate of 4.25% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on September 1, 2025. The 2032 4.25% Convertible Notes will mature on March 1, 2032, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed, or converted. The 2032 4.25% Convertible Notes are convertible at the option of the holders under certain circumstances. Upon conversion, we will pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of our Class A Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of our Class A Common Stock, at our election.
2032 2.375% Convertible Notes
On July 29, 2025, we issued $575.0 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2032 (the "2032 2.375% Convertible Notes"), including the exercise in full of the option granted to the initial purchasers to purchase up to $75.0 million aggregate principal amount of notes. The net proceeds of the 2032 2.375% Convertible Notes were $560.0 million after deducting the initial purchasers' discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us. We used approximately $54.0 million of the net proceeds to pay the cost of the privately negotiated capped call transactions (the "July 2025 Capped Calls"). The remaining net proceeds were used for working capital or other general corporate purposes.
On February 20, 2026 and February 23, 2026, we completed the repurchase of $250.0 million of the outstanding principal amount of the 2032 2.375% Convertible Notes in separate, privately negotiated repurchase transactions with a limited number of note holders for an aggregate repurchase price of approximately $433.7 million, which included accrued and unpaid interest. The repurchase was funded with the net proceeds from a registered direct offering of 4,475,223 shares of our Class A Common Stock to the same note holders participating in the note repurchase.
The 2032 2.375% Convertible Notes are our senior, unsecured obligations and bear interest at a fixed rate of 2.375% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning on April 15, 2026. The 2032 2.375% Convertible Notes will mature on October 15, 2032, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed, or converted. The 2032 2.375% Convertible Notes are convertible at the option of the holders under certain circumstances. Upon conversion, we will pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of our Class A Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of our Class A Common Stock, at our election.
2036 2.00% Convertible Notes
In October 2025, we issued $1,150.0 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2036 (the "2036 2.00% Convertible Notes"), including the exercise in full of the option by the initial purchasers to purchase up to $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of the notes. The net proceeds of the 2036 2.00% Convertible Notes were $1,129.2 million after deducting the initial purchasers' discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us. Proceeds from the issuance of the 2036 2.00% Convertible Notes are expected to be used for general corporate purposes, including without limitation funding the deployment of our worldwide constellation of satellites in anticipation of adding incremental strategic markets for our SpaceMobile Service.
The 2036 2.00% Convertible Notes are our senior, unsecured obligations and bear interest at a fixed rate of 2.00% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning on July 15, 2026. The 2036 2.00% Convertible Notes will mature on January 15, 2036, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed, or converted. The 2036 2.00% Convertible Notes are convertible at the option of the holders under certain circumstances. Upon conversion, we will pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of our Class A Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of our Class A Common Stock, at our election.
2036 2.25% Convertible Notes
In February 2026, we issued $1,075.0 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2036 (the "2036 2.25% Convertible Notes"), including the exercise of the option by the initial purchasers to purchase an additional $75.0 million aggregate principal amount of the notes. The net proceeds of the 2036 2.25% Convertible Notes were $1,057.5 million after deducting the initial purchasers' discounts and commissions and the estimated offering expenses payable by us. The net proceeds are expected to be used for general corporate purposes, including without limitation, accelerating the deployment of our controlled spectrum bands on a global basis, monetizing the capabilities of our proprietary technology to capture the evolving commercial opportunities related to artificial intelligence, enhancing investment in government space opportunities in the U.S., reducing higher interest debt, and pursuing opportunistic investments to accelerate our SpaceMobile Service and capabilities.
The 2036 2.25% Convertible Notes are our senior, unsecured obligations and bear interest at a fixed rate of 2.25% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning on October 15, 2026. The 2036 2.25% Convertible Notes will mature on April 15, 2036, unless earlier repurchased or converted. The 2036 2.25% Convertible Notes are convertible at the option of the holders under certain circumstances. Upon conversion, we will pay or deliver, as the case may be, cash, shares of our Class A Common Stock or a combination of cash and shares of our Class A Common Stock, at our election.
Commercial Prepayments
On May 23, 2024, AST LLC and Verizon entered into a Memorandum of Understanding which provides, among other things, that Verizon will make a $45.0 million commercial payment for prepaid service revenue, creditable against future service revenue of AST LLC, subject to us receiving certain regulatory approvals for our SpaceMobile Service and entry into a definitive commercial agreement. On October 8, 2025, we announced the signing of a definitive commercial agreement with Verizon. On April 22, 2026, we received certain regulatory approvals for our SpaceMobile Service. As of the date of this Quarterly Report, the $45.0 million commercial payment is due from Verizon.
Cash Flows
Historical Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our sources and uses of cash for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025 (in thousands):
|
For the Three Months ended |
|||||||
|
(unaudited) |
|||||||
|
2026 |
2025 |
||||||
|
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
$ |
3,458,864 |
$ |
874,458 |
|||
|
Cash used in operating activities |
(48,058 |
) |
(28,546 |
) |
|||
|
Cash used in investing activities |
(379,263 |
) |
(120,456 |
) |
|||
|
Cash provided by financing activities |
1,105,334 |
455,865 |
|||||
Operating activities
Cash used in operating activities was $48.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026 as compared to cash used in operating activities of $28.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The $19.6 million increase in cash used in operating activities was attributable to an increase of $34.5 million in cash expenses to support operations, partially offset by a decrease of $14.9 million in working capital during the three months ended March 31, 2026.
Investing activities
Cash used in investing activities was $379.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2026, as compared to cash used in investing activities of $120.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The $258.8 million increase in cash used in investing activities was attributable to an increase of $141.2 million in purchases of property and equipment, including procurement of BB satellite materials, advance payments made under launch contracts, advance payments made to procure BB satellite materials and other capital advances, a $100.0 million advance payment made in the Spectrum Usage Rights Transaction pursuant to the Term Sheet during the three months ended March 31, 2026, and $17.6 million consisting of the L-band Annual Payment, a revenue share payment, and the Crown Castle Annual Payment made during the three months ended March 31, 2026.
Financing activities
Cash provided by financing activities was $1,105.3 million and $455.9 million during the three months ended March 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively. The $649.4 million increase in cash provided by financing activities was attributable to an increase of $614.7 million in net proceeds from the issuance of debt, an increase of $639.7 million in net proceeds from issuance of equity, and a decrease of $44.5 million that was used in purchases of capped calls during the three months ended March 31, 2025. The increase was partially offset by an increase of $629.1 million in repayments of debt and an increase of $20.4 million used to settle equity awards under our stock-based compensation plans.
Funding Requirements
We believe our existing cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2026 will be sufficient to meet anticipated cash requirements for the next 12 months from the date hereof. However, our forecast of the period of time through which our financial resources will be adequate to support operations is a forward-looking statement that involves risks and uncertainties, and actual results could vary materially. We have based this estimate on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could expend capital resources sooner than we expect.
Future capital requirements will depend on many factors, including:
Until such time, if ever, as we can generate substantial revenues to support our cost structure, we expect to finance cash needs through the issuance of equity, equity-linked or debt securities (secured or unsecured), secured or unsecured loans or other debt facilities, and credit from government or financial institutions or commercial partners. To the extent that we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership interest of stockholders will be, or could be, diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of common stockholders. Debt financing and equity financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting our ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends. If we raise funds through commercial agreements, or other similar arrangements with third parties, we may have to relinquish valuable rights to our technologies and/or future revenue streams, or grant licenses on terms that may not be favorable to us and/or may reduce the value of our common stock. Also, our ability to raise necessary financing could be impacted by geopolitical events, higher interest rates and inflationary economic conditions and their effects on the
market conditions. If we are unable to raise additional funds through equity offerings, debt financings or commercial arrangements when needed, we may be required to delay, limit, reduce or terminate our commercialization efforts or grant rights to develop and market other services even if we would otherwise prefer to develop and market these services ourselves, or potentially discontinue operations.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP). Preparation of the financial statements requires our management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that impact the reported amount of revenue and expenses, assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We consider an accounting judgment, estimate or assumption to be critical when (1) the estimate or assumption is complex in nature or requires a high degree of judgment and (2) the use of different judgments, estimates and assumptions could have a material impact on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. For a discussion of our critical accounting policies, see "Critical Accounting Policies" in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies since our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
On June 13, 2025, we announced the Term Sheet among various parties including us, Ligado, Viasat, Inc. and Inmarsat. Pursuant to the Term Sheet, as long as the financial sponsors of Ligado provide the Backstop Commitment to Ligado that is acceptable to us, in support of a full refund of payments by Ligado in the event applicable regulatory approvals are not obtained and the closing does not occur, we have agreed that, with respect to the $550.0 million otherwise owed to Ligado in connection with the Spectrum Usage Rights Transaction, we would pay $420.0 million to Ligado for the benefit of Inmarsat on October 31, 2025, $100.0 million to Ligado for the benefit of Inmarsat on March 31, 2026 and $15.0 million to Ligado for the benefit of Inmarsat on receipt of specified regulatory approvals and the closing of the Spectrum Usage Rights Transaction. The remaining $15.0 million would be payable to Ligado at the closing. On October 31, 2025, we made the first $420.0 million payment to Ligado for the benefit of Inmarsat. On or about March 31, 2026, we made the $100.0 million payment in accordance with the Term Sheet. Per the Term Sheet, the funds were intended to be for the benefit of Inmarsat and paid over to Inmarsat. However, by order of the Bankruptcy Court dated April 2, 2026, the $100.0 million payment has been placed in escrow. Distribution of these funds following their release from escrow is subject to further order of the Bankruptcy Court. As of the date of this Quarterly Report, the remaining payments under the Term Sheet constitute an off-balance sheet commitment, as the related payment obligations have not been made or are subject to closing of the Spectrum Usage Rights Transaction and, therefore, are not recognized in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
On June 23, 2025, the Bankruptcy Court approved the Spectrum Usage Rights Transaction contemplated in the Strategic Collaboration Term Sheet. On or about September 29, 2025, the Bankruptcy Court confirmed Ligado's Chapter 11 plan. The closing of the Spectrum Usage Rights Transaction is still subject to receipt of satisfactory regulatory approvals required for the proposed use of the spectrum, as well as other closing conditions. AST LLC's obligation to make the Crown Castle Annual Payment and SpectrumCo's obligation to make the L-band Annual Payment each began on June 23, 2025. Refer to discussion under "Spectrum Usage Rights Transaction and Related Financing" in the "Liquidity and Capital Resources" section and Note 13 Spectrum Usage Rights and Related Financing for further details.