Meta Eyes Satellite Communications! Commercial Space Stocks Surge, AST Up Over 10%

AST SpaceMobile (ASTS-US) surged over 10% on Tuesday (April 4), marking its fourth consecutive trading day of gains, following Meta's (META-US) expressed interest in a 'social media + satellite network' collaboration. The stock had risen over 7% the previous day.

Other commercial space stocks, including SpaceX (SPCX-US) and Rocket Lab (RKLB-US), also closed higher on Tuesday.

According to Cailian Press, Meta executives revealed on Monday that the two companies are exploring ways to run the messaging app WhatsApp on AST SpaceMobile's satellite network.

Specifically, Vinod Samarawickrama, Meta’s Global Head of Network Infrastructure, disclosed that the two companies recently held a workshop at Meta’s headquarters, discussing their shared vision for satellite connectivity. He stated that the focus of discussions has shifted from 'proving satellite connectivity is technically feasible' to 'building a seamless product experience that people will actually use.'

He added that the discussions extend beyond traditional satellite emergency communications, focusing instead on broader consumer applications—such as providing voice, video, and messaging services to travelers, remote workers, maritime users, and people living beyond the reach of traditional cellular networks.

He wrote, 'This opportunity goes far beyond emergency messaging—it’s about enabling people to stay connected no matter where they are.'

This rally comes as AST SpaceMobile prepares to launch its latest batch of satellites and expand its satellite internet services into international markets.

According to schedule, the company’s BlueBird satellites 11, 12, and 13 are set to launch early Wednesday morning U.S. local time aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. The previous batch, satellites 8–10, was successfully deployed in June. These satellites can deliver voice, data, and video services directly to standard, unmodified smartphones.

Last week, AST SpaceMobile filed documents with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), revealing it is about to begin Direct-to-Cell (D2C) operations in Japan.

The documents show Japan is AST SpaceMobile’s first international market. The company will partner with local operator Rakuten Mobile, utilizing its approved spectrum, including the 715–718 MHz band for uplink and 770–773 MHz for downlink.

AST SpaceMobile also confirmed it has obtained all necessary regulatory approvals from Japanese authorities. Operations will follow a 'no harmful interference' principle, and the company can immediately shut down satellite beams if interference occurs.