AST SpaceMobile and Planet Labs slide on launch capacity concerns while Virgin Galactic gains on potential customer shift.
Shares of AST SpaceMobile fell 17% to $111 after Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket exploded during a test, though the company primarily uses SpaceX’s Falcon 9 for launches. Planet Labs dropped 8% to $47.50 amid worries over tightened commercial launch capacity, while Rocket Lab slipped 6% to $139.
The explosion raises concerns about delays in satellite deployment schedules, though AST SpaceMobile’s next mission remains targeted for mid-June. Virgin Galactic surged 11% to $5 as traders bet on a shift in customers from Blue Origin’s grounded New Shepard tourism program.
The market reaction highlights sector volatility tied to launch reliability and competitive positioning in commercial spaceflight.