BUZZ-AST SpaceMobile slips after satellite launch failure

Amazon.com, Inc.
AST SPACEMOBILE INC

Amazon.com, Inc.

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AST SPACEMOBILE INC

ASTS

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** Shares of satellite communications firm AST SpaceMobile ASTS.O fall 13.1% to $74.29 premarket

** New Glenn rocket, launched by Jeff Bezos-owned Blue Origin on Sunday, failed to deploy ASTS satellite into correct orbit

** Satellite placed too low to sustain operations with its on-board thruster technology, will be de-orbited - ASTS

** The satellite was an effort to build a space-based cellular broadband network to connect directly with smartphones, like Amazon's Leo or SpaceX's Starlink

** Five analysts rate ASTS "buy", five "hold" and two "sell"; median price target $91.69 - data compiled by LSEG

** As of last close, ASTS stock up 17.7% YTD