Public Companies Offer Exposure to Expanding Space Sector

Investors are preparing for a SpaceX initial public offering scheduled in the coming weeks. A number of other publicly traded companies already hold positions across different segments of the space economy. The space sector includes firms that launch payloads, manufacture satellites and spacecraft, and deliver communications or imagery services.

Some of these companies entered the market recently while others have operated for decades.

Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman maintain long-standing contracts with government space programs. Boeing contributed to the Apollo program and built the Space Launch System for the Artemis lunar missions. Lockheed Martin developed the Orion spacecraft for Artemis, and both companies are partners in United Launch Alliance.

Northrop Grumman designed and built the James Webb Space Telescope and produces satellites and on-orbit refueling vehicles. RTX, General Dynamics, L3Harris, and Leidos also supply components and systems used in civil and military space projects.

Lab develops small and medium rockets, spacecraft, and components while offering launch and satellite services. Virgin Galactic operates spacecraft for private, research, and government customers. AST SpaceMobile is building a constellation of BlueBird satellites intended to provide cellular broadband from orbit.

Voyager Technologies supplies propulsion and communications equipment. Firefly Aerospace designs and operates rockets, lunar landers, and orbital spacecraft; its Blue Ghost lander reached the lunar surface last year. Intuitive Machines builds lunar landers and delivers payloads to the Moon.

Planet Labs, BlackSky Technology, and Spire Global operate satellite constellations that collect imagery, aircraft tracking data, weather information, and energy market intelligence.