What is the best space ETF to invest in?

The best space ETF depends on what you're looking for. Investors seeking exposure to SpaceX may gravitate toward the Tema Space Innovators ETF because of its pre-IPO SpaceX allocation. Those who prefer a passive, rules-based approach may find the Procure Space ETF, Global X Space Tech ETF, or VanEck Space ETF more appealing. Investors who want active management and are comfortable relying on manager discretion may prefer the ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF or the Roundhill Space & Technology ETF.

What ETF is tied to SpaceX?

The ETF most directly tied to SpaceX is the Tema Space Innovators ETF. The fund gained exposure to SpaceX before its public listing through a special-purpose vehicle (SPV), giving investors indirect access to the company. Investors should remember, however, that SpaceX is only one holding within the broader portfolio and that the SPV structure introduces additional complexity compared to owning publicly traded shares directly.

Is NASA ETF a good buy?

The Tema Space Innovators ETF may be attractive to investors seeking exposure to SpaceX and the broader commercial space industry. The fund has gathered assets quickly and offers differentiated holdings compared to many competing space ETFs. However, it also carries a relatively high 0.75% expense ratio and relies on active management. Much of the recent interest in the fund has been driven by its exposure to SpaceX, which means investors should be careful not to base their entire investment thesis on a single company. As with most thematic ETFs, NASA is generally better suited as a smaller satellite position within a diversified portfolio rather than a core holding.

6 Best Space ETFs for 2026 and How to Invest

By Tony Dong – Updated Jun 8, 2026 at 6:47 PM EST | Fact-checked by Parker Hicks

Key Points

Space ETFs give diversified investment into the expanding space industry, reducing single-company risk.
Understanding ETF types, management style, assets, and fees is crucial before investing.
Check underlying holdings' specifics to grasp actual investment exposure and risk levels.

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Ticker Information Table
Name and ticker	Current price
Tema ETF Trust - Tema Space Innovators ETF (NYSEMKT:NASA)	$29.18
Procure ETF Trust II - Procure Space ETF (NASDAQ:UFO)	$50.67
Ark ETF Trust - Ark Space & Defense Innovation ETF (NYSEMKT:ARKX)	$33.87
Roundhill ETF Trust - Roundhill Space & Technology ETF (NYSEMKT:MARS)	$31.36
Global X Funds - Space Tech ETF (NASDAQ:ORBX)	$53.48
Vaneck ETF Trust - Vaneck Space ETF (NASDAQ:WARP)	$24.92

Data as of Jul 3, 2026. Showing 6 of 6 total entries.

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Before investing in a space ETF, it helps to understand a few key differences between the available options.

First, decide whether you prefer active or passive management. Active ETFs rely on portfolio managers to select stocks, while passive ETFs simply track a predefined index. Next, pay attention to assets under management.

As a general rule, many investors prefer ETFs with at least $50 million in assets to reduce the risk of fund closure. Expense ratios also matter because those fees come directly out of your returns each year.

Finally, look beyond the ETF's name and examine the underlying holdings. Many space-related companies are small-cap businesses operating in an emerging industry, which can increase volatility and risk.

Reviewing factors such as profitability, valuation metrics, country exposure, and the percentage of small-cap holdings can provide a clearer picture of what you're actually buying before making an investment decision. Now, let's dive a little deeper into each company.

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NYSEMKT: NASA

Tema ETF Trust - Tema Space Innovators ETF

Today's Change

(-0.92%) $-0.27

Current Price

$29.18

Key Data Points

Day's Range

$28.63 - $30.55

52wk Range

$24.04 - $42.68

Volume

1.9M

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The Tema Space Innovators ETF (NASA -0.92%) is a relatively new entrant to the space ETF market, having launched in March 2026. Despite its short history, it has already grown to approximately $2.35 billion in assets under management, making it the largest space-themed ETF currently available.

A major reason for that growth has been the ETF's exposure to SpaceX (SPCX +2.69%). The fund was able to gain exposure prior to the company's public listing through a special-purpose vehicle (SPV), a legal entity created to hold an investment on behalf of multiple investors.

While SPVs can provide access to otherwise unavailable private investments, they also introduce an additional layer of complexity, fees, valuation uncertainty, and counterparty risk compared to directly holding publicly traded shares.

According to Tema, the SpaceX SPV position will remain subject to a six-month lockup period following the IPO. After that period expires, the position is expected to convert into freely tradable shares, though the ETF may also purchase publicly traded SpaceX shares alongside its existing exposure.

The combination of active management and private-market access comes at a cost. The ETF charges a relatively high 0.75% expense ratio. So far, however, investor demand has remained strong, suggesting many are willing to pay a premium for differentiated exposure to the commercial space industry.

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2. Procure Space ETF (UFO)

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NASDAQ: UFO

Procure ETF Trust II - Procure Space ETF

Today's Change

(0.98%) $0.49

Current Price

$50.67

Key Data Points

Day's Range

$50.08 - $52.07

52wk Range

$28.71 - $68.21

Volume

792.4K

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The Procure Space ETF (UFO +0.98%) was one of the earliest space-themed ETFs, launching in April 2019. While the fund spent much of its history as a niche product, growing investor interest in the commercial space economy has helped propel assets under management to nearly $1.12 billion.

Unlike the Tema Space Innovators ETF, UFO is passively managed. The fund tracks the VettaFi Space Index and charges a 0.75% expense ratio. Rather than relying on manager discretion, the index uses a rules-based approach to identify companies with meaningful exposure to the space industry.

To qualify for inclusion, a company must derive the majority if not all of its revenue or profits from one or more space-related activities. These include satellite operations, GPS infrastructure, rocket and satellite manufacturing, ground equipment production, space technology hardware, Earth imagery and intelligence services, telecommunications, and satellite-based television and radio broadcasting.

This revenue-based approach gives UFO one of the purest mandates in the category. Investors should note, however, that many companies operating within these industries remain relatively small and specialized, which can contribute to higher volatility than broad-market equity ETFs.

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3. ARK Space & Defense Innovation ETF (ARKX)

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NYSEMKT: ARKX

Ark ETF Trust - Ark Space & Defense Innovation ETF

Today's Change

(0.12%) $0.04

Current Price

$33.87

Key Data Points

Day's Range

$33.52 - $34.99

52wk Range

$23.76 - $37.89

Volume

1.2M

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Cathie Wood is well known for her lineup of thematic ETFs focused on disruptive technologies, and for investors seeking dedicated exposure to the commercial space industry, the ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX +0.12%) is one of the most recognizable options available.

Like most ARK funds, ARKX is actively managed and does not track a benchmark index. Instead, portfolio construction is driven by Cathie Wood's investment views and the research of ARK's analyst team.

The ETF charges a relatively high 0.75% expense ratio in exchange for that active management. Investors are effectively betting not only on the growth of the space industry, but also on ARK's ability to identify the most promising companies within it.

The ETF is well established, with approximately $893 million in assets under management and a track record dating back to March 2021. Recent performance has been impressive. As of April 30, 2026, the fund had generated a three-year annualized return of 34.98%.

Investors should be careful not to focus solely on recent results, however. Since inception, annualized returns have been considerably lower at 10.32%, reflecting both the severe growth-stock bear market of 2022 and the inherent volatility of many emerging technology themes.

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NYSEMKT: MARS

Roundhill ETF Trust - Roundhill Space & Technology ETF

Today's Change

(0.22%) $0.07

Current Price

$31.36

Key Data Points

Day's Range

$30.71 - $32.44

52wk Range

$23.59 - $45.92

Volume

40.9K

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The Roundhill Space & Technology ETF (MARS +0.22%) is another new entrant in the growing space ETF category. Like many of Roundhill's thematic funds, it is actively managed rather than tied to a benchmark index. Portfolio decisions are based on Roundhill's proprietary research process and the views of its investment team.

The ETF currently holds 32 companies and takes a somewhat broader approach to the space economy than many competitors. Rather than focusing exclusively on launch providers and satellite manufacturers, MARS also targets businesses that enable or benefit from space-based infrastructure. This includes companies involved in GPS systems, communications networks, agriculture technology, banking services, healthcare applications, weather forecasting, and other industries that rely on satellite-enabled data.

Roundhill also allocates capital toward emerging growth companies involved in launch services, satellite infrastructure, and next-generation space data platforms. This gives the portfolio exposure to both established operators and smaller companies that could benefit if the commercial space economy continues to expand.

While still smaller than some competing funds, MARS has grown beyond the point where fund closure is an immediate concern. The ETF currently manages approximately $93 million in assets under management.

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5. Global X Space Tech ETF (ORBX)

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NASDAQ: ORBX

Global X Funds - Space Tech ETF

Today's Change

(-0.35%) $-0.19

Current Price

$53.48

Key Data Points

Day's Range

$52.67 - $56.00

52wk Range

$45.04 - $79.72

Volume

69.3K

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Thematic ETFs tend to be more expensive than broad-market index funds, but investors can still find relatively lower-cost options within the space category. One example is the Global X Space Tech ETF (ORBX -0.35%), which charges a 0.50% expense ratio, undercutting many of the actively managed space ETFs discussed earlier.

The ETF passively tracks the proprietary Global X Space Tech Index, a benchmark of 36 companies involved across multiple segments of the commercial space economy. Holdings include businesses focused on rocket launch systems, mission-critical space technologies, orbital transport systems, space software and data solutions, satellite-enabled communications networks, and even companies involved in space transportation, tourism, and exploration.

Because it follows an index rather than relying on active management, investors know exactly what type of exposure they are receiving. The trade-off is less flexibility compared to actively managed competitors that can quickly adjust portfolios as the industry evolves.

Launched in April 2026, ORBX has already accumulated approximately $53.6 million in assets under management. That places it above the level at which many investors begin to view ETFs as commercially viable and lowers the risk of fund closure compared with very small niche funds.

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6. VanEck Space ETF (WARP)

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NASDAQ: WARP

Vaneck ETF Trust - Vaneck Space ETF

Today's Change

(0.04%) $0.01

Current Price

$24.92

Key Data Points

Day's Range

$24.45 - $25.80

52wk Range

$21.47 - $41.77

Volume

45.5K

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Competing directly with ORBX is the VanEck Space ETF (WARP +0.04%), which also charges a 0.50% expense ratio. Like the Global X offering, WARP is passively managed and tracks a specialized benchmark, in this case the MarketVector Space Index.

The fund provides exposure across the commercial space ecosystem while maintaining a meaningful emphasis on U.S.-based companies. According to VanEck, approximately 73% of the portfolio is allocated to U.S. stocks, reflecting America's dominant position in the private space industry.

The portfolio also differs somewhat from competitors in terms of company size. Mid-cap stocks account for roughly 54% of assets, giving investors more exposure to established growth companies rather than solely relying on either large-cap aerospace contractors or smaller speculative firms.

Like ORBX, the ETF remains relatively small but has reached a scale where closure risk is less of an immediate concern. The fund currently manages approximately $47.69 million in assets under management, placing it in a similar range to the Global X alternative.

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FAQ

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Tony Dong has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

6 Best Space ETFs for 2026 and How to Invest

Key Points

Key Data Points

2. Procure Space ETF (UFO)

Key Data Points

3. ARK Space & Defense Innovation ETF (ARKX)

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

5. Global X Space Tech ETF (ORBX)

Key Data Points

6. VanEck Space ETF (WARP)

Key Data Points

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FAQ

What is the best space ETF to invest in?

What ETF is tied to SpaceX?

Is NASA ETF a good buy?

1. Tema Space Innovators ETF (NASA)

2. Procure Space ETF (UFO)

3. ARK Space & Defense Innovation ETF (ARKX)

4. Roundhill Space & Technology ETF (MARS)

5. Global X Space Tech ETF (ORBX)

6. VanEck Space ETF (WARP)

How to invest in space ETFs

Benefits and Risks of Investing in Space ETFs

Should You Invest in Space ETFs?

Related investing topics

6 top space ETFs for 2026

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