ASTS, RKLB, FLY, LUNR Stocks Rally As FCC Opens Door To Faster Satellite Broadband Networks

• The regulatory update could enable up to 7x more space broadband capacity and unlock over $2 billion in economic benefits.
• Updated rules now allow companies to coordinate interference using modern technical standards.
• On Thursday, RKLB gained 7%, ASTS rose 6%, FLY added 3%, and LUNR climbed 2%.

Space stocks rallied on Thursday after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) revised spectrum-sharing rules that had long capped transmission power for low-Earth-orbit (LEO) constellations and slowed high-speed space broadband rollout.

On Thursday, Rocket Lab USA (RKLB) jumped about 7%, AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) rose 6%, Firefly Aerospace (FLY) added 3%, and Intuitive Machines (LUNR) climbed 2%.

FCC Boosts Space Broadband Outlook

The regulator said the changes could enable up to seven times more capacity for space-based broadband networks and unlock over $2 billion in economic benefits, driving upside for companies building satellite internet networks and related space infrastructure.

The FCC’s order replaces a decades-old spectrum-sharing system from the late 1990s that limited the amount of power newer LEO satellites could use to transmit data. The older limits were designed for earlier satellite tech and no longer matched how newer constellations operate.

Under the updated rules, satellite operators can coordinate interference protection using newer technical standards based on advances in current networks. Regulators said that the older rules had slowed the rollout of faster, lower-latency satellite internet, especially in rural and remote areas where traditional broadband remains limited.

Space Broadband Plans Lift Off

The regulatory update comes as several satellite infrastructure companies are already ramping up constellation deployments and launches. AST SpaceMobile recently received approval from the FCC to deploy 223 additional satellites for its SpaceMobile network, which will deliver mobile connectivity directly to standard smartphones from orbit. 

The company is also moving ahead with the production of its Block-2 satellites following the recent BlueBird-7 launch anomaly. BlueBird-8 through BlueBird-10 are expected to be ready for shipment soon as AST SpaceMobile works toward its goal of placing 45 satellites in orbit this year. 

Meanwhile, Rocket Lab recently completed two launches within a 48-hour window from separate launch sites: one for U.S. defense testing and one for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The company also confirmed late Thursday on X that its upcoming “Viva La StriX” mission for Synspective’s Earth-imaging constellation is scheduled no earlier than May 22.

Moon Data Platforms In Focus 

Firefly and Intuitive Machines are also in focus as investors weigh how the new order could benefit lunar communications infrastructure and space-based data platforms.

Firefly is building out its position in the emerging lunar data economy ahead of the rollout of its Ocula lunar imaging service, expected to begin no earlier than late 2026 through Elytra orbital vehicles for future Blue Ghost missions. Earlier operations from Blue Ghost Mission 1 returned nearly 120 gigabytes of lunar data and secured a $10 million NASA contract addendum for commercial lunar data services.

Meanwhile, Intuitive Machines is expanding its spacecraft platforms for civil and national-security space programs. Its Lanteris Space Systems unit was recently selected to deliver 18 spacecraft platforms for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 3 Tracking Layer architecture. 

How Do Retail Traders Feel About ASTS, RKLB, LUNR, FLY?

On Stocktwits, retail sentiment around ASTS, LUNR and FLY remained ‘bearish’, with message volume in the ‘normal’ range for ASTS and ‘low’ for both LUNR and FLY, while sentiment around RKLB was ‘neutral’ amid ‘low’ message volume. 

Over the past year, ASTS has gained 218%, RKLB has risen 279%, and LUNR has surged 2019%, while FLY has declined 43%.

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