AST SpaceMobile vs. Rocket Lab: 1 Number Separates These Space Stocks

The article compares AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) and Rocket Lab (RKLB) using revenue as the key differentiator: Rocket Lab generated ~$200M in a single quarter, while AST SpaceMobile expects only $150-200M for the entire year 2026. Rocket Lab is an established operating business with launch services and satellite manufacturing, a $2B+ backlog, and 33.8% gross margins, whereas AST SpaceMobile is still transitioning from promise to product with only ~$15M in recent quarterly revenue.

Why it matters: Both stocks are speculative and unprofitable, but Rocket Lab offers lower risk with proven revenue while AST SpaceMobile carries higher upside potential if its satellite-to-phone service scales, backed by $1B+ in carrier commitments and a $20B market cap.