Top 5 space stocks to watch in 2026

The companies in this list build and operate the hardware that makes space accessible – rockets, satellites, spacecraft components and the networks that run on top of them. Some, like Boeing Company ($BA) and Lockheed Martin ($LMT), are diversified defence and aerospace businesses where space is one segment among several. Others, like Rocket Lab ($RKLB), are built almost entirely around the space economy, from designing launch vehicles to manufacturing spacecraft components.

How we built this list: We selected these companies based on their industry and ordered them by market capitalisation. Prices are updated daily, and the list and supporting content are reviewed roughly every quarter. All data is sourced from Stake. This list isn't a recommendation and isn't ordered by suitability.

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Source: Stake market data. Figures in US$. Data updated as of 3 August 2026.

1. Boeing ($BA)

Boeing (BA) share price over the last year: started at US$222.34, ended at US$233.49, a change of +5.0%. Range over the period: high US$252.15, low US$179.12. Source: Stake market data. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Price: US$233.49 · Daily: 8.0% · Market cap: US$184.54B · Sector: Industrials · Industry: Aerospace & Defence

The Boeing Company ($BA) runs three distinct businesses – commercial aircraft, defence and space, and aftermarket services. Its commercial arm produces the narrow-body 737 alongside the wide-body 767, 777 and 787 models for airlines worldwide. The Defense, Space & Security segment covers manned and unmanned military aircraft, weapons systems and space activities, giving $BA its foothold in the space economy.

The Global Services division sustains both commercial and defence fleets through maintenance, spare parts, pilot training and supply chain support. Kelly Ortberg serves as chief executive, leading a workforce of 182,000 people.

2. Lockheed Martin ($LMT)

Lockheed Martin (LMT) share price over the last year: started at US$423.70, ended at US$586.29, a change of +38.4%. Range over the period: high US$676.70, low US$423.70. Source: Stake market data. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Price: US$586.29 · Daily: 0.6% · Market cap: US$135.31B · Sector: Industrials · Industry: Aerospace & Defence

Lockheed Martin ($LMT) runs four business segments: Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control, Rotary and Mission Systems, and Space. The Space segment focuses on satellites, space transportation systems and advanced defensive systems – all built for government and military customers rather than commercial launches.

The Aeronautics segment designs and manufactures advanced military aircraft, including combat jets, air mobility platforms and unmanned vehicles. Missiles and Fire Control covers air and missile defence systems, precision strike weapons and fire control technology. Rotary and Mission Systems handles military and commercial helicopters alongside sea and land-based missile defence.

With 123,000 employees and CEO Jim Taiclet at the helm, $LMT is a significant employer across aerospace and defence. Its exposure to space is real, but it sits alongside several other major business lines – so the company's fortunes aren't tied solely to the space economy.

3. Rocket Lab ($RKLB)

Rocket Lab (RKLB) share price over the last year: started at US$44.54, ended at US$70.43, a change of +58.1%. Range over the period: high US$150.23, low US$39.48. Source: Stake market data. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Price: US$70.43 · Daily: 8.4% · Market cap: US$42.13B · Sector: Industrials · Industry: Aerospace & Defence

Rocket Lab Corporation ($RKLB) builds rockets, spacecraft and the components that go inside them – all under one roof. Its Launch Services segment puts payloads into orbit on dedicated or ride-share missions, while its Space Systems segment covers everything from reaction wheels and star trackers to solar panels and command-and-control software.

Under CEO Peter Beck, the company employs around 2,600 people across both sides of the business. That end-to-end model means $RKLB can take a satellite programme from component design through to launch and on-orbit management, rather than handing off between suppliers.

4. Ast Spacemobile ($ASTS)

Ast Spacemobile (ASTS) share price over the last year: started at US$51.38, ended at US$63.52, a change of +23.6%. Range over the period: high US$133.09, low US$36.91. Source: Stake market data. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Price: US$63.52 · Daily: 7.7% · Market cap: US$24.65B · Sector: Technology · Industry: Telecom

AST SpaceMobile ($ASTS) is working to put a cellular broadband network into orbit – one that's designed to connect directly with the standard mobile phones people already carry, without any specialist hardware. The idea is to reach users who fall outside terrestrial coverage, filling the gaps that ground-based towers can't reach.

The backbone of that network is a constellation of BlueBird satellites in low Earth orbit. $ASTS is still in the building and testing phase, with the company continuing to test its BW3 satellite alongside cellular service providers and government partners.

Under CEO Abel Avellan, the company employs 1,126 people and maintains operations across four countries – India, Scotland, Spain and Israel. The business sits at the intersection of the Technology sector and the telecom industry, which gives it an unusual footprint among space-focused companies.

Because $ASTS is still developing its constellation rather than generating revenue at scale, it carries the kind of execution risk that comes with any capital-intensive infrastructure build.

5. Intuitive Mach ($LUNR)

Intuitive Mach (LUNR) share price over the last year: started at US$11.20, ended at US$13.10, a change of +17.0%. Range over the period: high US$45.70, low US$8.05. Source: Stake market data. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Price: US$13.10 · Daily: 6.2% · Market cap: US$2.84B · Sector: Industrials · Industry: Aerospace & Defence

Intuitive Machines ($LUNR) sits at the operational end of the lunar economy – it doesn't just build hardware, it runs missions. The company transports payloads to space, including satellites, scientific instruments and cargo, and offers lunar surface access as a commercial service. Its data transmission work covers the collection and interpretation of space-based data for uses like command and control, communications, and reconnaissance.

On top of those services, $LUNR provides infrastructure as a service: autonomous space assets designed to carry out functions like navigation and scientific data collection without human intervention in the loop. The company employs around 525 people under chief executive Stephen Altemus, making it a compact operation for the scope of what it's attempting. Its mandate, according to the company, covers not just the Moon but eventual missions to Mars and beyond.

Common questions

How do I invest in space stocks in Australia?

All five companies in this list trade on U.S. exchanges, so you'd access them through a brokerage platform that offers U.S. market trading. You search by ticker and place orders in USD, just as with any other U.S.-listed stock. Because the holdings are priced in USD, the AUD/USD exchange rate affects what you pay when buying and what you receive when converting proceeds back to Australian dollars.

What are the key risks of space stocks?

Space companies face a mix of technical and commercial risks. Hardware failures, launch delays and the cost of developing and deploying space systems can put significant pressure on finances. For companies that rely on government contracts, budget shifts, program cancellations or restructuring are ongoing risks. Companies still building out core infrastructure or scaling new services may also need to raise additional capital to fund operations, which can dilute existing shareholders.

How do the established defence contractors in this list compare to the space-focused companies?

The list spans two distinct business models. Boeing and Lockheed Martin are large, diversified aerospace and defence companies where space sits alongside commercial aviation, military aircraft, missiles and other services. Other companies here are built entirely around space access, satellite broadband or lunar delivery – space is their whole business, not one line among many. A program setback or contract delay lands very differently depending on whether it affects one division of a multi-segment company or the core of everything a company does.

Disclaimer

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. When you invest, your capital is at risk. You should consider your own investment objectives, financial situation, and particular needs before making an investment decision. The value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may receive back less than your original investment. As always, do your own research and consider seeking appropriate financial advice before investing.

This is not personal financial advice nor a recommendation to invest in the securities listed. Any advice provided by Stake is of general nature only and does not take into account your specific circumstances. Trading and volume data from the Stake investing platform is for reference purposes only, the investment choices of others may not be appropriate for your needs and is not a reliable indicator of performance.

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