AST SpaceMobile's BB11 satellite may be stuck or deployed - Kook digs into TLE data, maxed-out shorts, and AT&T's direct-to-cell push.
Kook returns from being off the grid straight into fresh TLE data on BlueBird 11, weighing whether the satellite's array successfully unfurled, got stuck mid-deployment, or needs to be deorbited. He compares the situation to BW3's 2021 bolt issue, where a stuck deployment was fixed with new software and thermal cycling, and explains why difficulty doesn't mean disaster for AST SpaceMobile.
On the ASTS stock side, Kook breaks down why short interest just hit 100% utilization, why implied volatility has collapsed, and why Reddit posting activity is a useful (if imperfect) proxy for market complacency, all while the Falcon 9 launch queue clears behind Crew Dragon traffic.
He also connects the dots between AI and satellite connectivity, covering AT&T's direct-to-cell advertising push, a phone company's quote calling it the biggest thing since texting, Meta's Muse app, and why AI voice bandwidth is light enough for satellites to handle easily. Kook wraps with thoughts on Blue Origin's valuation, Canada diversifying away from SpaceX, and why he believes the space industry is becoming the next Mag-7.
00:00 Introduction and TLE data check
00:45 BB11 deployment difficulty theories
03:01 BW3's 2021 deployment issue recap
04:39 Stuck, deployed, or deorbit scenarios
05:52 Falcon 9 launch queue clearing
06:54 Short interest hits 100% utilization
07:33 Reddit and implied volatility signals
10:11 AT&T's direct-to-cell ad push
11:25 Phone company RPU growth quote
12:18 Meta's Muse app and AI flow
14:39 Is AI bandwidth-friendly for satellites?
17:06 MVNO frustrations and vertical integration
19:29 Canada diversifying away from SpaceX
21:34 Space industry as the next Mag-7
23:56 Equitus 2028 satellite mockery
26:00 Closing thoughts and TLE follow-up
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📩 AST SpaceMobile Podcast Newsletter: https://ast-spacemobile-podcast.beehiiv.com/
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