AST SpaceMobile Inc ( ASTS ) shares are rising Thursday. The company announced the successful completion of its first five commercial satellites.

What To Know: AST SpaceMobile ( ASTS ) has completed its first five commercial satellites it calls Bluebirds. The satellites are ready for shipment to Cape Canaveral during the first week of August, with a seven-day launch window in September.

AST SpaceMobile ( ASTS ) noted that the Bluebird satellites have undergone rigorous testing to ensure they meet the demanding requirements of operations in space. The satellites are now in final preparations for shipment.

“This is a momentous occasion for AST SpaceMobile ( ASTS ). These first five satellites are built on the success of our in-orbit BlueWalker 3 satellite and will provide U.S. nationwide non-continuous service with over 5,600 cells in premium low-band spectrum, with a planned 10-fold increase in processing bandwidth,” said Abel Avellan, chairman and CEO of AST SpaceMobile ( ASTS ). 

“We are eager to see these pioneering satellites take flight and begin laying the foundation for our global cellular broadband network.”

On July 18, AST SpaceMobile ( ASTS ) decided on an updated launch window in September. The exact launch date will be confirmed closer to the launch window and shared with the public. The timing is consistent with previous guidance to deliver satellites in July or August with an orbital launch scheduled shortly thereafter. 

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How to Buy ASTS Stock

Besides going to a brokerage platform to purchase a share – or fractional share – of stock, you can also gain access to shares either by buying an exchange traded fund (ETF) that holds the stock itself, or by allocating yourself to a strategy in your 401(k) that would seek to acquire shares in a mutual fund or other instrument.

For example, in AST SpaceMobile's ( ASTS ) case, it is in the Communication Services sector. An ETF will likely hold shares in many liquid and large companies that help track that sector, allowing an investor to gain exposure to the trends within that segment.

ASTS Price Action: AST SpaceMobile ( ASTS ) shares are up more than 500% in just the last three months. The stock was up 2.92% at $13.75 at the time of publication, according to Benzinga Pro.