Can I buy SpaceX stock?

SpaceX is a privately held company, so its shares do not trade on a public exchange. However, shares held by insiders or employees are occasionally traded in private market transactions. Investors with a high net worth can look to buy shares through a private market. There are also some funds that hold shares of SpaceX, along with other private companies.

Is NASA on the stock market?

NASA is a government agency and is not on the stock market. Even if it were, NASA's mission is to fund space advancements and not turn a profit, so it would be a questionable investment. Most of NASA's budget pays private contractors, so investors can benefit from NASA's research by buying space stocks like the ones listed on this page.

What is the best space company to invest in?

For investors with a high risk tolerance and a well-diversified portfolio, a pure-play company like Rocket Lab could be an intriguing candidate for some exposure to the space economy. For those who would prefer a lower-risk option, a diversified defense contractor like Lockheed Martin, which has a space business as well as other operations, is likely a better choice.

Do space companies pay dividends?

Most of the space pure plays are early-stage growth companies that are reinvesting their cash into the business and do not pay dividends. However, more established defense contractors such as Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and L3 Harris all pay dividends.

How does government policy affect space stocks?

For all the talk of the commercial space economy, governments are still the primary customer. So, changes in government policy could affect space stocks by providing more or less business if priorities shift. These changes tend to take years, however, giving investors plenty of time to react to changes in government plans.

Should I invest in early-stage space startups?

Early-stage companies tend to have a higher-than-average failure rate. Given the technical challenges of space, the winning percentage in this sector is likely to be lower than in most other sectors. Investing in early-stage space startups should be considered very risky, and limited to a small part of an investor's total net worth.

What is the difference between aerospace and space stocks?

Aerospace is a broad term used to describe makers of flying machines of all types, including commercial airplanes. Space stocks are those that specialize in activities beyond the Earth's atmosphere, and are a small part of the broader aerospace sector.

5 Best Space Stocks to Buy in 2026

Best Space Stocks to Buy in 2026 and How to Invest in Them

By Lou Whiteman – Updated Jan 28, 2026 at 11:26 AM EST | Fact-checked by Frank Bass

Key Points

Space could become a $1 trillion industry by 2040, offering major growth potential.
Investing in space stocks carries high risks due to the technical nature of the industry.
Diversify through ETFs for safer exposure to the burgeoning space sector.

Advances in technology have opened space to private companies, turning what was once a government-only arena into a fast-growing commercial industry. Today, investors can choose from defense giants, satellite operators, launch providers, and niche space-focused businesses.

And the opportunity is large. Morgan Stanley estimates the space economy could reach $1 trillion by 2040. But the risks are real. This is a capital-intensive industry with complex technology, a small customer base, and heavy reliance on government contracts.

For investors willing to accept volatility in exchange for long-term growth potential, here are some of the most compelling space stocks to invest in.

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Ticker Information Table
Name and ticker	Market cap	Dividend yield	Industry
Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)	$152.8 billion	2.03%	Aerospace and Defense
AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ:ASTS)	$26.3 billion	0.00%	Diversified Telecommunication Services
Rocket Lab (NASDAQ:RKLB)	$40.6 billion	0.00%	Aerospace and Defense
L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX)	$69.3 billion	1.63%	Aerospace and Defense
Leidos (NYSE:LDOS)	$22.7 billion	0.91%	Professional Services

Data as of Mar 10, 2026. Showing 5 of 5 tickers.

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NYSE: LMT

Lockheed Martin

Today's Change

(-1.13%) $-7.56

Current Price

$664.21

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$153B

Day's Range

$657.74 - $677.49

52wk Range

$410.11 - $692.00

Volume

895

Avg Vol

1.8M

Gross Margin

10.15%

Dividend Yield

2.03%

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Lockheed Martin is best known as the maker of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, but the company also has an extensive space business focused on the manufacture of satellites and missiles, as well as a massive launch business via a joint venture with Boeing (BA -2.71%).

Lockheed historically has focused on business for the Pentagon and NASA, although it also has some commercial customers. Its space unit gives it exposure to some of the fastest-growing development areas in defense, including hypersonic missiles able to travel at more than five times the speed of sound.

Space accounts for more than 15% of Lockheed Martin's revenue.

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2. AST SpaceMobile

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NASDAQ: ASTS

AST SpaceMobile

Today's Change

(0.47%) $0.42

Current Price

$89.90

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$26B

Day's Range

$86.56 - $91.85

52wk Range

$18.22 - $129.89

Volume

10K

Avg Vol

16M

Gross Margin

-14399.31%

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AST SpaceMobile is attempting to do away with cellular dead spots once and for all. The company has developed technology that allows our everyday mobile phones to connect with its constellation of satellites, offering global coverage even in areas where there are no cell towers.

The company went public in a 2021 deal to merge with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) and has made progress in the years since, demonstrating the effectiveness of its technology and signing up cellular partners. However, significant risks still remain: It will cost AST tens of millions of dollars to get its fleet of satellites airborne and give most mobile users more of an added bonus feature than a must-have.

AST's future is far from certain. But for the risk-tolerant investor, this stock could be a fascinating piece of a well-diversified portfolio.

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3. Rocket Lab

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NASDAQ: RKLB

Rocket Lab

Today's Change

(2.20%) $1.54

Current Price

$71.65

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$41B

Day's Range

$67.81 - $72.12

52wk Range

$14.71 - $99.58

Volume

5.8K

Avg Vol

24M

Gross Margin

31.66%

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NYSE: LHX

L3Harris Technologies

Today's Change

(1.17%) $4.27

Current Price

$370.88

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$69B

Day's Range

$363.62 - $373.00

52wk Range

$195.72 - $379.23

Volume

Avg Vol

1.4M

Gross Margin

22.49%

Dividend Yield

1.63%

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L3Harris (LHX +1.17%) dramatically expanded its space-based business via its 2023 acquisition of Aerojet Rocketdyne. Aerojet was one of only two U.S.-based companies that manufactured the engines needed to propel big objects into space. The other, Orbital ATK, was acquired by Northrop Grumman (NOC -1.19%) in 2018. Northrop's defense rivals are eager to have another stable option for propulsion.

L3Harris had a lot of space credentials even before the acquisition. The legacy Harris business historically has been one of the top suppliers of communications equipment to the Pentagon, from radios to satellites. Today, the company offers not only access to space but also a range of electronics, missile warning, and space intelligence products.

This company is the product of a series of mergers and is only now beginning to integrate all of what it now owns. As it emerges, the finished product may be an attractive option for investors seeking the stability of a defense company but with a focus on defense tech and electronics.

5. Leidos Holdings

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NYSE: LDOS

Leidos

Today's Change

(0.97%) $1.72

Current Price

$179.61

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$23B

Day's Range

$174.36 - $180.00

52wk Range

$128.32 - $205.77

Avg Vol

Gross Margin

18.04%

Dividend Yield

0.91%

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Leidos is the largest of the so-called "Beltway Bandits," defense companies that specialize in providing IT and consulting services rather than weapons to government customers. For Leidos, this means a strong and growing business serving NASA, the Pentagon, and other agencies interested in space.

Leidos bulked up its space capabilities with its 2020 purchase of Dynetics, an engineering and consulting firm that dates back to the original U.S.-Soviet space race of the 1960s and is a close partner of NASA.

Today, Leidos provides a range of space-based services, including managing space missions, designing and manufacturing rocket payloads, and providing the electronics and know-how to communicate with those payloads.

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The biggest name in space-tech you can't invest in

One of the biggest names in space is not on this investment list. Elon Musk's SpaceX is perhaps the most successful of the next-generation space start-ups and has numerous government contracts. SpaceX -- and not one of the established defense contractors -- is currently ferrying astronauts from U.S. soil to the International Space Station, and the company has a large satellite business, as well.

SpaceX itself remains private, but Musk has said the company is weighing a potential IPO as soon as June 2026. Until that happens, there is still no direct way for retail investors to invest in SpaceX.

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Space stocks FAQ

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Best Space Stocks to Buy in 2026 and How to Invest in Them

Key Points

Key Data Points

2. AST SpaceMobile

Key Data Points

3. Rocket Lab

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

5. Leidos Holdings

Key Data Points

The biggest name in space-tech you can't invest in

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Space stocks FAQ

Can I buy SpaceX stock?

Can I buy SpaceX stock?

Is NASA on the stock market?

Is NASA on the stock market?

What is the best space company to invest in?

What is the best space company to invest in?

Do space companies pay dividends?

Do space companies pay dividends?

How does government policy affect space stocks?

How does government policy affect space stocks?

Should I invest in early-stage space startups?

Should I invest in early-stage space startups?

What is the difference between aerospace and space stocks?

What is the difference between aerospace and space stocks?

Related investing topics

Industrial Stocks

Defense Stocks

Investing in Crypto

Energy Stocks

About the Author

Stocks Mentioned

Our Guides

Premium Investing Services

Space stocks FAQ

Can I buy SpaceX stock?

Can I buy SpaceX stock?

Is NASA on the stock market?

Is NASA on the stock market?

What is the best space company to invest in?

What is the best space company to invest in?

Do space companies pay dividends?

Do space companies pay dividends?

How does government policy affect space stocks?

How does government policy affect space stocks?

Should I invest in early-stage space startups?

Should I invest in early-stage space startups?

What is the difference between aerospace and space stocks?

What is the difference between aerospace and space stocks?

Industrial Stocks

Defense Stocks

Investing in Crypto

Energy Stocks

Can You Invest in Blue Origin Stock in 2026?

Can You Invest in Starlink Pre-IPO? Everything You Need to Know.

Can You Invest in SpaceX Pre-IPO? Here's What You Need to Know

Best Up-and-Coming Companies to Invest in for 2026

Key Data Points

Top space stocks to consider

1. Lockheed Martin

2. AST SpaceMobile

3. Rocket Lab

4. L3Harris

The biggest name in space-tech you can't invest in

How to invest in space stocks

Tips for investing in space stocks

Are space stocks right for you?

Related investing topics

FAQ

Related investing topics

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

5. Leidos Holdings