Top 10 space stocks to buy in 2026

The space industry is one of the most interesting long-term investment opportunities, driven by satellite communications, reusable rockets, defense spending, space infrastructure, and the emerging space economy.

If I were building a long-term space investment watchlist, I would focus on companies with real revenue, technological advantages, strong government or commercial contracts, and potential for significant growth through 2030–2035.

Here are my 10 picks, balancing higher-growth space companies with more established aerospace and defense businesses.

The 10 stocks I'd research first

Ranked by investment appeal, business positioning, and long-term potential - not by guaranteed returns.

1. Rocket Lab - RKLB

My top growth pick

• Rocket launches and satellite manufacturing.

• Strong position in commercial and national-security space.

• Neutron rocket could unlock a larger launch market.

• Risk: execution, capital spending, and valuation.

  Q2 2026 revenue: $234 million, up 62% year over year; backlog: $2.36 billion. Rocket Lab Announces Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results: Posts Record Revenue and Record Backlog, Guides To Another Record Revenue Quarter in Q3 2026

2. SpaceX - SPCX

Major industry leader

• Starship, Falcon launches, Starlink satellite internet.

• Vertical integration and launch scale.

• Potential exposure to a broad range of space markets.

• Risk: enormous expectations and valuation.

  Reportedly listed in June 2026. 6 Best Space Stocks for 2026 and How to InvestBest Space Stocks to Buy Now: 10 Companies Beyond SpaceX

3. AST SpaceMobile - ASTS

Very high risk / reward

• Satellite broadband directly to ordinary smartphones.

• Partnerships with major mobile network operators.

• Potential to serve customers beyond traditional cell towers.

• Risk: satellite deployment, operating costs, and commercialization.

  Q2 2026 contracted revenue backlog: approximately $1.3 billion. sec.gov

4. Planet Labs - PL

• Operates a large Earth-imaging satellite constellation.
• Sells satellite imagery and analytics.
• Applications in defense, agriculture, climate, and intelligence.
• Risk: competition and converting growth into profits.

5. Intuitive Machines - LUNR

• Lunar landers and Moon transportation.
• NASA contracts and lunar infrastructure opportunities.
• Potential beneficiary of expanding lunar exploration.
• Risk: mission failures, contract timing, and funding.

6. Redwire - RDW

• Space infrastructure, solar arrays, and spacecraft components.
• Exposure to commercial and government space programs.
• Could benefit as more satellites and orbital infrastructure are built.
• Risk: execution and profitability.

7. Firefly Aerospace - FLY

• Rocket launches and lunar landers.
• Government and commercial mission opportunities.
• Multiple potential revenue streams.
• Risk: launch reliability and high capital requirements.

8. Iridium Communications - IRDM

• Established global satellite communications network.
• Recurring connectivity and government business.
• More established operating business than many emerging space companies.
• Risk: competition and satellite replacement costs.

9. Lockheed Martin - LMT

• Orion spacecraft and national-security space systems.
• Government and defense contracts.
• More diversified business and dividend income.
• Risk: government budget exposure and program delays.

10. Northrop Grumman - NOC

• Military satellites, missile defense, and space systems.
• Cygnus spacecraft and national-security programs.
• Established defense-sector exposure.
• Risk: contract concentration and program execution.

This selection combines emerging space companies with established defense contractors. The companies and risk assessments are consistent with recent 2026 industry coverage. Best Space Stocks to Buy Now: 10 Companies Beyond SpaceXNot SpaceX: top space stocks to keep an eye on By Investing.comSpace Stocks to Watch in 2026: Full List by Sector

How I'd categorize these investments

Investment style	Stocks
Highest growth potential	RKLB, SPCX, ASTS
Satellite infrastructure	PL, RDW, IRDM
Lunar exploration	LUNR, FLY
More established defense exposure	LMT, NOC

My preferred portfolio approach

For a hypothetical long-term space investment portfolio, I'd use a mix rather than betting everything on speculative rocket companies.

Stock	Allocation
RKLB	20%
SPCX	15%
ASTS	10%
PL	10%
LUNR	10%
RDW	10%
FLY	5%
IRDM	5%
LMT	7.5%
NOC	7.5%
Total	100%

This is an illustrative aggressive portfolio, not a personalized allocation. I would build positions gradually and rebalance as valuations and fundamentals change.

What I'd watch through 2030

The biggest potential catalysts are:

1. Reusable rockets becoming commercially viable.
2. Satellite broadband becoming mainstream.
3. Government spending on space-based defense.
4. Commercial lunar transportation.
5. Manufacturing and servicing infrastructure in orbit.

One important warning: Space stocks can be extremely volatile. A great company can still be a poor investment if you pay too much for its shares. Check cash flow, dilution, debt, backlog conversion, and valuation before buying.

Let's narrow this down to the best investments

I can take this a step further and rank the stocks based on your investment horizon.

Investing in the space economy - which encompasses satellite communications, launch providers, defense contractors, and deep-space exploration - offers a mix of high-growth pure-plays and stable, dividend-paying defense giants.

The top space stocks span different risk profiles and sectors within the industry:

1. Pure-Play Space & High Growth

• Rocket Lab USA ( NASDAQ: RKLB) 6 Best Space Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest | The Motley Fool

• The Business: Widely considered the closest publicly traded alternative to SpaceX for reliable orbital launches. It manufactures and launches small-to-medium lift rockets (Electron) and is actively developing its larger Neutron rocket. It also has a rapidly growing space systems segment building spacecraft components. Space Stocks to Watch in 2026: The Complete Investor's Guide

• Why Watch: Strong launch cadence, government and commercial contracts, and a clear path toward medium-lift dominance.

• AST SpaceMobile ( NASDAQ: ASTS) 6 Best Space Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest | The Motley Fool

• The Business: Building the first space-based cellular broadband network designed to connect directly to standard, unmodified everyday smartphones without needing specialized satellite phones.

• Why Watch: Massive addressable market (eliminating cell dead zones globally), though it remains a higher-risk, high-reward play as it scales its satellite constellation.

• Intuitive Machines ( NASDAQ: LUNR) Top 5 space stocks to watch in 2026 - Stake

• The Business: A lunar exploration and infrastructure company focused on space systems, lunar data delivery, and autonomous landing services for NASA and commercial entities.

• Why Watch: A front-runner in the burgeoning lunar economy and commercial payload delivery to the Moon's surface.

2. Diversified Aerospace & Defense Giants

• Lockheed Martin ( NYSE: LMT) 6 Best Space Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest | The Motley Fool

• The Business: One of the world's largest defense contractors, with an extensive space division that builds military and commercial satellites, interplanetary spacecraft, and missile systems. It also co-owns United Launch Alliance (ULA).

• Why Watch: Offers stability, steady government cash flows, and a reliable dividend yield while playing a core role in national security space infrastructure.

• Northrop Grumman ( NYSE: NOC) 8 Space Stocks to Watch in 2026 | Finder Canada

• The Business: A major player in aerospace and defense with a dedicated Space Systems segment. Northrop builds critical components like the James Webb Space Telescope, military surveillance satellites, solid rocket boosters, and habitation modules for deep space.

• Why Watch: Deeply entrenched in classified defense space programs and NASA's Artemis lunar missions.

• L3Harris Technologies ( NYSE: LHX) 6 Best Space Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest | The Motley Fool

• The Business: Following its acquisition of Aerojet Rocketdyne, L3Harris solidified its footprint as a premier manufacturer of rocket propulsion systems and tactical space electronics.

• Why Watch: Essential provider of propulsion and electronic payloads for both civil space exploration and missile defense.

3. Satellite Technology, Data, & Infrastructure

• Planet Labs PBC ( NYSE: PL) Space Stocks to Watch in 2026: The Complete Investor's Guide

• The Business: Operates a massive constellation of Earth-imaging satellites ("Doves") that photograph the entire Earth landmass daily, providing high-frequency satellite data.

• Why Watch: Valuable analytics applications across agriculture, defense, climate monitoring, and intelligence sectors.

• Redwire Corporation ( NYSE: RDW) Best Space Stocks to Buy Now - October 2026 | AltIndex

• The Business: A pure-play infrastructure provider specializing in mission-critical components, deployable structures, and in-space manufacturing technology.

• Why Watch: Acts as a "picks-and-shovels" supplier for the broader space ecosystem, benefiting regardless of which rocket or satellite operator succeeds.

• Telesat Corp ( NASDAQ / TSX: TSAT) Best Space Stocks to Buy Now - October 2026 | AltIndex

• The Business: A long-standing satellite operator currently rolling out its next-generation low-earth orbit (LEO) broadband network, Telesat Lightspeed.

• Why Watch: Positioned to capture enterprise, government, and maritime connectivity demands globally.

• RTX Corporation ( NYSE: RTX) Best Space Stocks to Buy Now - October 2026 | AltIndex

• The Business: Through its Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney units, RTX supplies crucial commercial aviation equipment, defense electronics, sensors, and space-based optical systems.

• Why Watch: A massive blue-chip industrial that provides broad exposure to aerospace engineering and defense tech stability.

Key Investor Considerations

• High Capital Intensity: Space companies often require massive upfront research and development costs before turning a profit. Pure-play stocks can be volatile.

• Government Exposure: Many of these companies rely heavily on multi-billion dollar contracts from NASA, the Space Force, and the Department of Defense.

• Diversification: Balancing volatile, high-growth pure-plays (like Rocket Lab or AST SpaceMobile) with defense anchors (like Lockheed Martin) can help manage portfolio risk in the space sector.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute financial advice. Always perform your own due diligence or consult with a licensed financial advisor before investing.

Investing in the space economy involves a mix of high-growth "pure-play" space innovators and stable, cash-generating legacy aerospace and defense contractors. As the commercial space industry evolves, market analysts highlight these 10 prominent space stocks to watch:

Pure-Play Space & Satellite Innovators

1. Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (NASDAQ: RKLB) - Widely viewed as a leading alternative to SpaceX, known for its reliable Electron launch vehicle, growing space systems division, and the development of the medium-lift Neutron rocket. Track current data on Finder Canada. 5 Space Stocks to Watch as the Industry Takes Off
2. AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTS) - Focused on building a space-based cellular broadband network directly to everyday mobile phones, scaling its BlueBird constellation. Check performance metrics on Public.com. AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) Stock Forecast: Analyst Ratings
3. Planet Labs PBC (NYSE: PL) - Operates a massive constellation of Earth-imaging satellites, serving defense, agriculture, and intelligence clients with daily global data. Read industry analysis on Leverage Shares. 4 Space Stocks That Could Be MASSIVE Winners
4. Intuitive Machines, Inc. (NASDAQ: LUNR) - A prominent player in lunar exploration, NASA payload delivery, and space infrastructure services.
5. Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW) - A critical "picks-and-shovels" hardware supplier providing vital components like roll-out solar arrays and space infrastructure. Review AI ranking factors on AltIndex.
6. Telesat Corporation (NASDAQ / TSX: TSAT) - A major satellite operator transitioning toward its next-generation Telesat Lightspeed low-Earth orbit (LEO) network.

Established Aerospace & Defense Giants

7. Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE: LMT) - Offers steady exposure to military satellite communications, space exploration, and government space defense budgets.
8. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) - A major prime contractor for NASA's Artemis program, launch vehicle propulsion, and classified national security space payloads.
9. RTX Corporation (NYSE: RTX) - Provides advanced defense electronics, sensors, and components crucial for modern space situational awareness and missile defense.
10. The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) - Involved in legacy heavy-lift rocketry, defense space systems, and commercial crew/satellite manufacturing.

If you want to narrow down these choices, let me know:

• Are you looking for high-risk/high-reward pure plays or stable dividend-paying defense giants?
• What is your time horizon for investing?

There isn’t a reliable, source-backed “top 10” ranking here. Recent space-stock lists highlight Rocket Lab (RKLB), Boeing (BA), GE Aerospace (GE), Lockheed Martin (LMT), Howmet Aerospace (HWM), and RTX (RTX), but those lists are based on trading activity - not a recommendation to buy. SpaceX is also privately held, so most investors can’t buy its shares on public exchanges.(marketbeat.com)(marketbeat.com)

Space stocks can be risky: high costs, technical challenges, regulation, and uncertain profitability are common sector concerns.(marketbeat.com)

Quick Answer: The top space-related stocks to watch in 2025 include AST SpaceMobile, Rocket Lab, Intuitive Machines, Planet Labs, and Redwire. These companies are leading in satellite communications, lunar exploration, Earth imaging, and orbital infrastructure. Other notable names are EchoStar, ViaSat, Virgin Galactic, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman.

AST SpaceMobile

Satellite-to-smartphone connectivity leader

Global Telecom

High Growth

AST SpaceMobile is building a direct-to-smartphone satellite network, eliminating dead zones. Partnerships with Vodafone and others give it global reach.

High cash burn and reliance on successful satellite launches pose risks.

Rocket Lab (RKLB)

Affordable and frequent satellite launches

Launch Leader

Reliable Cadence

Rocket Lab specializes in small and medium payload launches with its Electron rocket. Strong backlog and upcoming Neutron rocket expand opportunities.

Faces competition from SpaceX and other launch providers.

Intuitive Machines (LUNR)

Key player in lunar lander missions

NASA Partner

Moon Logistics

First U.S. company to land on the Moon in 50 years. Selected for NASA’s Near Space Network contracts.

Revenue highly dependent on government contracts.

Planet Labs (PL)

Earth-imaging satellite operator

Earth Data

High Demand

Planet Labs provides daily Earth imagery for governments and businesses. Strong demand for analytics and data services.

Competition from other imaging companies and reliance on government contracts.

Redwire (RDW)

Space infrastructure and manufacturing

Infrastructure

Artemis Program

Redwire develops orbital construction tools and 3D printing systems. Active in Artemis and commercial in-orbit manufacturing.

Still early-stage with volatile earnings.

Sources: 7 Space Stocks I'd Buy Without Hesitation | NasdaqSpace and defense boom lifted these satellite stocks by 200% in 2025Space Stocks: 17 Stocks to Play Space Race 2.0 | InvestorPlace5 Space Stocks to Watch as the Industry Reaches New Heights | Investing.com

Additional Notable Space Stocks

• EchoStar(ECHO): Satellite communications provider with strong defense ties.

• ViaSat(VSAT): Competes with Starlink in satellite internet.

• Virgin Galactic (SPCE): Pioneer in space tourism, though facing financial challenges.

• Lockheed Martin (LMT): Defense giant with major space contracts (Orion capsule, Artemis program).

• Northrop Grumman (NOC): Key supplier for NASA and U.S. Space Force missions.

Key Considerations

• Volatility: Space stocks are highly speculative, with sharp swings based on launch success or contract wins.

• Government Contracts: Many depend heavily on NASA, DoD, or international space agencies.

• Private Competition: SpaceX’s potential IPO could reshape the sector.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This overview is for informational purposes only and not financial advice. Space stocks are volatile; consult a qualified financial advisor before investing.

Would you like me to break these down into short-term vs long-term plays so you can see which might be more speculative versus stable?