10-QPeriod: Q2 FY2021

AST SpaceMobile, Inc. Quarterly Report for Q2 Ended Jun 30, 2021

Filed August 16, 2021For Securities:ASTS

Summary

AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (ASTS) reported its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, following its business combination on April 6, 2021. The company significantly increased its cash position to $402.6 million, primarily due to the business combination, which provided $416.9 million in net proceeds. However, the company continues to operate at a loss, with a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $19.98 million for the quarter, driven by substantial increases in operating expenses related to engineering, R&D, and general administration as it progresses with the development of its satellite constellation and SpaceMobile Service. The company is in the early stages of building its space-based cellular broadband network, with a primary focus on assembling and testing the BlueWalker 3 (BW3) satellite and designing its commercial constellation. The substantial operating expenses reflect the capital-intensive nature of this venture. Investors should note the significant warrant liabilities recognized on the balance sheet ($115.5 million) and the associated non-cash loss from changes in fair value ($41.7 million in the quarter). Despite the current losses, management believes its cash on hand is sufficient for at least the next 18 months, though significant future capital raises will be necessary to fund the complete constellation build-out.

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$2.77M
Cost of Revenue$1.11M
Gross Profit$1.66M
R&D Expenses$9.59M
Operating Expenses$25.10M
Net Income-$19.98M
EPS (Basic)$-0.39
EPS (Diluted)$-0.39
Shares Outstanding (Basic)51.73M
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)51.73M

Key Highlights

  • 1Stronger Cash Position: Cash and cash equivalents surged to $402.6 million as of June 30, 2021, bolstered by the $416.9 million in net proceeds from the April 6, 2021 business combination.
  • 2Significant Increase in Operating Expenses: Engineering services, R&D costs, and general and administrative expenses saw substantial year-over-year increases, reflecting ongoing development and scaling efforts for the SpaceMobile Service.
  • 3Continued Net Loss: The company reported a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $19.98 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021, and $31.56 million for the six months ended June 30, 2021, consistent with its early-stage, development-heavy operational phase.
  • 4BlueWalker 3 Development: Capitalized costs for the BW3 test satellite construction in progress reached $38.7 million, indicating continued investment in its key testing and validation satellite.
  • 5Warrant Liabilities Recorded: The company recorded warrant liabilities of $115.5 million and recognized a significant non-cash loss of $41.7 million in the quarter due to changes in their fair value.
  • 6Future Capital Requirements: Management estimates significant future capital investments for the full constellation and acknowledges the need for additional fundraising beyond the next 18 months to achieve global coverage.
  • 7NanoAvionika Revenue Growth: Revenue from the Nano subsidiary increased to $2.8 million for the quarter and $3.7 million for the six months, driven by satellite development and manufacturing contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

AST SpaceMobile is developing the first and only space-based cellular broadband network designed to be accessed directly by standard smartphones. The company plans to partner with mobile network operators (MNOs) globally, offering wholesale commercial roaming agreements. Revenue will be generated from these MNO partnerships and, currently, from its subsidiary NanoAvionika which provides satellite development and manufacturing services.

As of June 30, 2021, AST SpaceMobile had $402.6 million in cash and cash equivalents, significantly increased by its business combination. However, the company is still in a pre-revenue stage for its core SpaceMobile Service and reported a net loss of $19.98 million for the quarter, primarily due to substantial investments in engineering, R&D, and operational scaling. Management believes its current cash position is sufficient for at least the next 18 months but anticipates needing significant additional capital to fully deploy the satellite constellation.

The company is heavily investing in the development and testing of its BlueWalker 3 (BW3) test satellite, with capitalized costs of $38.7 million for its construction in progress. It is also undertaking significant R&D and engineering efforts for its commercial constellation (BB1 Satellites). These activities are driving the substantial increases in operating expenses observed in the financial results.

The company recorded warrant liabilities of $115.5 million on its balance sheet as of June 30, 2021. The fair value of these warrants is re-measured each reporting period, and changes in fair value are recognized in the income statement. In the second quarter of 2021, the company recognized a non-cash loss of $41.7 million due to an unfavorable change in the fair value of these warrant liabilities, which is a significant item impacting its net loss.