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 exploration, not turn a profit, so it would be a questionable investment. Most of NASA's budget funds private contractors, so investors can benefit from NASA's research by buying space stocks 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 way to gain 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 is pure plays, early-stage growth companies that reinvest their cash in 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 remain the primary customers. 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 start-ups 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 specialize in activities beyond Earth's atmosphere and are a small part of the broader aerospace sector.

Who is leading the space industry?

SpaceX currently dominates the global space industry, responsible for more than three-quarters of U.S. orbital launches. The company leads through its reusable Falcon 9 and Starship programs, far outpacing competitors in launch frequency. Other significant entities include NASA (exploration), Blue Origin (launch systems), and Rocket Lab (small satellites).

Best Space Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

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

By Lou Whiteman – Updated Jun 11, 2026 at 1:26 AM EST | Fact-checked by Frank Bass

Key Points

Space economy could grow to $1 trillion by 2040, offering substantial investor opportunities.
Investing in space stocks involves high risks like technology complexity and government reliance.
Options range from established firms like Lockheed Martin to newer entities like Rocket Lab.

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Ticker Information Table
Name and ticker	Market cap	Dividend yield
Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)	$124.6 billion	2.53%
AST SpaceMobile (NASDAQ:ASTS)	$24.6 billion	0.00%
Rocket Lab (NASDAQ:RKLB)	$59.3 billion	0.00%
L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX)	$57.3 billion	1.59%
Leidos (NYSE:LDOS)	$15.4 billion	1.36%

Data as of Jun 15, 2026. Showing 5 of 5 total entries.

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NYSE: LMT

Lockheed Martin

Today's Change

(-1.01%) $-5.44

Current Price

$534.89

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$125B

Day's Range

$528.56 - $535.50

52wk Range

$410.11 - $692.00

Volume

33.9K

Avg Vol

1.4M

Gross Margin

10.70%

Dividend Yield

2.53%

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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 +5.33%).

Lockheed has historically focused on business with the Pentagon and NASA, although it also has some commercial customers. Its space unit gives it exposure to some of the fastest-growing areas of defense, including hypersonic missiles capable of traveling 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

(7.91%) $6.52

Current Price

$88.93

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$25B

Day's Range

$83.97 - $89.49

52wk Range

$36.08 - $133.86

Volume

676.7K

Avg Vol

20.1M

Gross Margin

-22429.27%

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AST SpaceMobile is aiming to eliminate cellular dead spots once and for all. The company has developed technology that enables our everyday mobile phones to connect to its satellite constellation, offering global coverage even in areas without cell towers.

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

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

(6.50%) $6.66

Current Price

$109.05

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$59B

Day's Range

$105.80 - $110.78

52wk Range

$25.60 - $151.00

Volume

969.7K

Avg Vol

26.5M

Gross Margin

33.77%

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NYSE: LHX

L3Harris Technologies

Today's Change

(-0.70%) $-2.17

Current Price

$305.62

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$57B

Day's Range

$300.37 - $308.00

52wk Range

$243.84 - $379.23

Volume

46.6K

Avg Vol

1.3M

Gross Margin

22.19%

Dividend Yield

1.59%

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L3Harris 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 -1.07%) in 2018. Northrop's rivals in the defense industry are eager to have another reliable propulsion option.

L3Harris had a lot of space credentials even before the acquisition. The Harris legacy business has historically 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 result of a series of mergers and is only now beginning to integrate all that 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

(-5.61%) $-6.83

Current Price

$114.90

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$15B

Day's Range

$113.28 - $121.91

52wk Range

$113.28 - $205.77

Volume

1.6M

Avg Vol

1.2M

Gross Margin

17.91%

Dividend Yield

1.36%

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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 dating back to the original U.S.-Soviet space race of the 1960s and 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.

How to buy space stocks

Open your brokerage account: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments. If you don't have one yet, take a look at our favorite brokers and trading platforms to find the right one for you.
Search for the stock: Enter the ticker into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.

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Space stocks FAQ

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About the Author

Lou Whiteman is a contributing Motley Fool stock analyst covering aerospace, defense, transport, manufacturing, specialty finance, and bank stocks. Previously, Lou was a financial analyst and senior writer for TheStreet, a venture capital specialist for The Deal LLC, and a high school personal finance teacher. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Loyola University Maryland and completed a fellowship at the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking.

TMFLouWhiteman

@louwhiteman

Lou Whiteman has positions in L3Harris Technologies, Leidos, Lockheed Martin, and Rocket Lab. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Boeing, L3Harris Technologies, Leidos, and Rocket Lab. The Motley Fool recommends Lockheed Martin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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

How to buy space stocks

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Space stocks FAQ

Is NASA on the stock market?

What is the best space company to invest in?

Do space companies pay dividends?

How does government policy affect space stocks?

Should I invest in early-stage space startups?

What is the difference between aerospace and space stocks?

Who is leading the space industry?

1. Lockheed Martin

2. AST SpaceMobile

3. Rocket Lab

4. L3Harris

How to buy space stocks

Benefits and risks of investing in space stocks

Should you invest in space stocks?

Related investing topics

FAQ

5 top space stocks for 2026

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

5. Leidos Holdings