AST SpaceMobile Looks to Extend Its 30-Day FCC Satellite Testing Window

AST SpaceMobile filed with the FCC on Sept. 8 to extend its 800 MHz satellite connectivity testing authority for another 30 days.

The Space Development Agency backed AST SpaceMobile's application to test pulsed radiolocation in the 902-928 MHz band, highlighting expanding national security applications.

Despite testing progress and a $30 million SDA contract, AST SpaceMobile faces deployment risks and posted a sixth consecutive earnings miss in the second quarter.

Nearly a month after receiving approval from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to test its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity using the 800 MHz spectrum for up to 100 commercially available and unmodified devices, space-based cellular broadband network provider AST SpaceMobile NASDAQ: ASTS is seeking an extension from the agency.

The SpaceX NASDAQ: SPCX competitor’s 30-day authority was granted by the FCC in mid-August. With that initial testing window set to expire in mid-September, AST SpaceMobile filed Sept. 8 to renew its 800 MHz authority for another 30 days, allowing continued broadband testing and demonstrations with federal government customers and partner mobile network operators.

Separately, the SDA urged the FCC to approve AST SpaceMobile's June application to test pulsed radiolocation capabilities in the 902–928 MHz band, saying those tests would advance an important national security objective.

At the time of writing, the renewal application is pending FCC approval. But the filing serves as the stock’s latest catalyst, with shares of ASTS up more than 11% since the start of September.

The SDA’s letter supporting AST SpaceMobile’s separate 902–928 MHz testing application comes after the agency awarded the Midland, Texas-based firm a $30 million prime contract on Feb. 23, 2026, under a different SDA program.

That agreement was executed under the Hybrid Acquisition for proliferated Low-earth Orbit, or HALO, program.

At the time, CEO of AST SpaceMobile USA Chris Ivory noted that the selection validated “AST SpaceMobile’s ability to rapidly operationalize commercial space capabilities for national security.”

In addition to AST SpaceMobile’s strategic commercial partnerships, the pact with the SDA further demonstrated that the company’s services have a range of government applications.

After the contract was awarded, acting director of the SDA GP Sandhoo said, “We are now using commercial solutions to quickly demonstrate mission utility, reduce risk for the operational layers of future tranches of the PWSA, and accelerate the delivery of cutting-edge capability to the warfighter.”

The SDA’s recent letter of support to the FCC demonstrates growing government interest in AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird satellites beyond commercial 4G and 5G connectivity, and specifically offer national defense capabilities.

Those applications include tactical communications, sensing, and pulsed radiolocation.

Additionally, the SDA would like to test pulsed radiolocation capabilities using AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird constellation in the 902–928 MHz band.

Those tests would involve short transmissions directed toward areas near AST SpaceMobile's gateway sites in Kapolei, Hawaii; Lanham, Maryland; and Midland, Texas.