** Satellite communications firm AST SpaceMobile's ASTS.O shares jump 15.5% to $30.23

** ASTS secures new contract worth $43 mln to support the U.S. Development Agency through a prime contractor

** "This second contract supporting the SDA underscores the confidence in AST SpaceMobile's innovative technology," says Chris Ivory, head of government business at ASTS

** Up to last close, ASTS shares have risen nearly eight-fold in the past 12 months

(Reporting by Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru)

((Jaspreet.Singh@thomsonreuters.com ; https://twitter.com/i_jass))