Rocket Lab Climbs 7% as Cantor Reiterates $122 Target on Launch Record; Intuitive Machines Jumps 10%, AST SpaceMobile Rises 6%

AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) shares rose 4.68% on Thursday, driven by broader gains in space-related stocks following Google's Project Suncatcher announcement. Investors also speculate about a potential partnership with Meta (META), after a LinkedIn post mentioned a workshop between the two companies. ASTS is trading above its 20-day and 50-day moving averages but below its 100-day and 200-day averages, indicating a short-term rebound within a longer downtrend.

AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) shares fell 3% overnight and 14% last week, despite securing a New Zealand license for a gateway station. The license, effective Monday, supports AST SpaceMobile's satellite network. The company is preparing to launch three more satellites in August, targeting 45 by year-end. ASTS has partnerships with 60 mobile-network operators. ASTS stock is up 67% over the past year.

Redwire (RDW), Rocket Lab (RKLB), and Firefly (FLY) are among 15 vendors selected for a $981 million Space Force contract for test and training tools through 2036. The contract has no guaranteed revenue split, and funds will be allocated via task orders. All three companies saw stock declines post-SpaceX's market debut.

ARK Invest, led by Cathie Wood, reduced its holdings in Alphabet (GOOGL) while increasing its stake in Rocket Lab (RKLB). As of July 31, 2026, ARKK held $118.5 million in GOOG and $27.0 million in GOOGL. Rocket Lab reported Q2 2026 revenue of $234.07 million, up 62% year over year, and announced plans to acquire Iridium Communications. Alphabet reported Q2 2026 revenue of $119.80 billion, up 24.23% year over year.

AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) was upgraded by Scotiabank to 'Sector Perform' with a $50.80 price target, citing its satellite pipeline and telecom partnerships. The stock has fallen 32% since January, but the analyst believes risks and opportunities are now fairly reflected. ASTS plans a beta service launch in the U.S. by late 2026 with AT&T and Verizon, and has partnerships with 60 mobile network operators. The stock rose 2.2% on the news.

AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) shares dropped 12% overnight after announcing a $1B convertible note offering. Analyst Tim Farrar suggests the company may use funds to acquire or invest in a launch provider, signaling a strategic pivot. ASTS is down 10% this week. The company aims to reduce reliance on third-party launch providers and has no current acquisition agreements. Farrar questions the availability of suitable targets and potential delays. ASTS stock is up 30% over the past year.