The Complete List of Space ETFs and Space Stocks for 2026

The space industry has gone from a niche investment theme to a legitimate sector with dozens of publicly traded companies and multiple dedicated ETFs. Whether you are building a space-focused portfolio, researching competitors, or simply trying to understand who the public players are, this is the most comprehensive list of space stocks and ETFs available for 2026.

Space-Focused ETFs

Exchange-traded funds offer diversified exposure to the space economy without picking individual winners. Here are the ETFs with explicit space or aerospace mandates:

ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX)

Expense Ratio: 0.75% | AUM: ~$300M

Cathie Wood's actively managed space fund takes a broad interpretation of "space," including companies enabling space technology even if space isn't their primary business. Top holdings typically include Trimble (GPS infrastructure), Kratos Defense (satellite communications), Iridium (LEO comms), and Rocket Lab. ARKX also holds 3D printing companies, drone manufacturers, and AI firms with space applications. The fund's broader mandate means it's less of a pure-play space bet and more of a "space-adjacent innovation" fund.

Procure Space ETF (UFO)

Expense Ratio: 0.75% | AUM: ~$50M

UFO tracks the S-Network Space Index and is the closest thing to a pure-play space ETF. Holdings must derive at least 50% of revenue from space-related activities. This means heavy weighting toward satellite operators (SES, Eutelsat, Viasat), launch providers (Rocket Lab), and defense contractors with significant space divisions (L3Harris, Northrop Grumman). UFO provides cleaner space exposure than ARKX but with a smaller asset base.

SPDR S&P Kensho Final Frontiers ETF (ROKT)

Expense Ratio: 0.45% | AUM: ~$30M

ROKT combines space exploration with deep-sea exploration companies. The space component includes familiar names like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, L3Harris, and Maxar Technologies. The deep-sea exposure adds companies like Oceaneering and Heico. Lower expense ratio than peers but diluted space exposure due to the ocean component.

iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA)

Expense Ratio: 0.40% | AUM: ~$5B

Not a space ETF per se, but ITA holds nearly every major defense contractor with space divisions — RTX (Raytheon), Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, L3Harris, Boeing, and General Dynamics. As government space spending accelerates (Golden Dome, Space Development Agency, Artemis), ITA provides indirect space exposure with the stability of defense prime contractors.

SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR)

Expense Ratio: 0.35% | AUM: ~$1.5B

Similar to ITA but with an equal-weight methodology that gives smaller space-focused companies more influence on returns. Rocket Lab, Aerojet Rocketdyne (now part of L3Harris), and Virgin Galactic have higher weighting in XAR than in ITA. The equal-weight approach means XAR is more sensitive to moves in pure-play space stocks.

Large-Cap Space Stocks (Market Cap $10B+)

These are the established defense and aerospace companies with significant space revenue:

• Lockheed Martin (LMT) — Market cap ~$130B. The largest defense contractor by revenue. Space division builds GPS III satellites, Orion spacecraft, and operates the United Launch Alliance (ULA) joint venture with Boeing. Space revenue ~$12B annually.
• Northrop Grumman (NOC) — Market cap ~$80B. Builds the Space Launch System (SLS) solid rocket boosters, the James Webb Space Telescope, and the B-21 Raider. Space Systems division is a major contributor to revenue.
• RTX Corporation (RTX) — Market cap ~$160B. Raytheon's missile defense systems are increasingly space-integrated. Collins Aerospace builds satellite communications equipment and space suits. Key Golden Dome contractor.
• L3Harris Technologies (LHX) — Market cap ~$45B. Leading provider of military satellite communications, space-based ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance), and the Aerojet Rocketdyne propulsion division. Builds satellite payloads for SDA's proliferated LEO constellation.
• Boeing (BA) — Market cap ~$120B. Builds the Space Launch System core stage, Starliner crew capsule, and operates satellite manufacturing. Co-owns ULA. Space and defense revenue significant but dwarfed by commercial aviation.

Mid-Cap Space Stocks (Market Cap $1B-$10B)

• Rocket Lab USA (RKLB) — Market cap ~$38B. The second most prolific orbital launch provider after SpaceX. Electron rocket for small satellites, Neutron medium-lift vehicle in development. Space Systems division builds satellite buses, reaction wheels, solar panels, and separation systems. The most investable pure-play space stock.
• Iridium Communications (IRDM) — Market cap ~$7B. Operates a 66-satellite LEO constellation providing global voice and data communications. Stable, cash-generative business with government and maritime customers. Recently debt-free after completing Iridium NEXT constellation deployment.
• Viasat (VSAT) — Market cap ~$3B. Satellite broadband provider competing with Starlink, primarily in aviation and maritime markets. Completed acquisition of Inmarsat, creating the largest GEO broadband fleet. High debt load from ViaSat-3 constellation deployment.
• Planet Labs (PL) — Market cap ~$2B. Operates the largest constellation of Earth observation satellites (200+ Dove and SuperDove satellites). Revenue growing steadily from government and commercial imagery customers. Not yet profitable but approaching breakeven.
• Virgin Galactic (SPCE) — Market cap ~$1B. Suborbital space tourism using SpaceShipTwo. Revenue minimal, primarily from early commercial flights. High cash burn rate. Business viability depends on achieving consistent flight cadence with next-generation Delta-class vehicles.
• Spire Global (SPIR) — Market cap ~$500M. Satellite-based data analytics company operating 100+ nanosatellites for weather, maritime tracking, and aviation data. Subscription-based revenue model. Growing but still burning cash.
• Terran Orbital (LLAP) — Market cap ~$300M. Satellite manufacturer building spacecraft for SDA and commercial customers. Acquisition by Lockheed Martin pending. Expertise in rapid satellite production at scale.
• Redwire Corporation (RDW) — Market cap ~$600M. Space infrastructure company providing solar arrays, 3D printing in space, and microgravity research payloads. Growing revenue from NASA and DoD contracts.
• Momentus (MNTS) — Market cap ~$100M. In-space transportation company providing last-mile satellite delivery using water-plasma propulsion. Early stage with limited revenue.
• AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) — Market cap ~$6B. Building a constellation to provide broadband directly to unmodified smartphones from space. Pre-revenue but completed successful test transmissions. High-risk, high-reward play on the direct-to-device market.
• Intuitive Machines (LUNR) — Market cap ~$3B. Lunar lander and services company. Successfully landed on the Moon in 2024 with Odysseus. Multiple NASA CLPS contracts for future lunar deliveries.

International Space Stocks

• SES S.A. (SESG.PA) — Luxembourg-based GEO/MEO satellite operator. O3b mPOWER MEO constellation for high-throughput broadband. Market cap ~$5B.
• Eutelsat (ETL.PA) — French GEO satellite operator merged with OneWeb. Now operates both GEO and LEO broadband constellations. Market cap ~$4B.
• BAE Systems (BA.L) — UK defense giant with growing space division. Builds satellite components and space-based surveillance systems. Market cap ~$50B.
• Airbus (AIR.PA) — European aerospace leader. Airbus Defence & Space builds satellites, operates Pléiades Earth observation, and manufactures Ariane rocket components. Market cap ~$120B.
• Thales (HO.PA) — French electronics company. Thales Alenia Space is a joint venture building satellites, space exploration systems, and orbital infrastructure. Market cap ~$35B.

Notable Private Companies (Pre-IPO)

Several of the most important space companies remain private:

• SpaceX — Valuation ~$350B. The most valuable private company in the world. Operates Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship launch vehicles, plus the Starlink satellite internet constellation with 6,000+ satellites. IPO widely expected once Starlink cash flows stabilize.
• Blue Origin — Backed by Jeff Bezos. Operates New Shepard suborbital vehicle, developing New Glenn heavy-lift rocket and Blue Moon lunar lander. No plans for near-term IPO.
• Sierra Space — Raised $1.5B in 2025. Building the Dream Chaser spaceplane for NASA cargo delivery and developing a commercial space station. Potential IPO candidate within 2-3 years.
• Vast — Raised $1.2B. Developing the Haven-1 commercial space station, targeted for launch in 2026. Aiming to be the first commercial crewed station in orbit.
• Relativity Space — Building Terran R, a 3D-printed medium-lift rocket. Pivoted from Terran 1 small launch vehicle to focus on larger market. Well-funded with $1.3B+ raised.

Building a Space Portfolio

For most investors, a combination approach works best:

• Core holding: A space ETF (UFO for pure-play or ARKX for broader exposure) provides diversified baseline exposure
• Growth bets: Individual positions in high-conviction names like Rocket Lab (RKLB) or AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) for higher upside potential
• Stability: Defense primes like Lockheed Martin or Northrop Grumman provide space exposure with defense-contract cash flow stability
• Speculative: Small positions in early-stage names like Redwire, Spire, or Intuitive Machines for moonshot potential

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