Can retail investors actually buy SpaceX stock now?

Yes — following its June 12, 2026 Nasdaq listing at $135/share, which valued the company at approximately $1.77 trillion in the largest IPO in history, SpaceX (SPCX) now trades on the public market like any other listed company. Before that listing, exposure was limited to private funding rounds and secondary markets available mainly to institutional and accredited investors.

What's the difference between the launch companies (SPCX, RKLB) and the satellite/network companies (ASTS, PL)?

SpaceX and Rocket Lab build and operate rockets — they get payloads (satellites, cargo, people) into orbit, and increasingly generate recurring revenue from their own satellite constellations (Starlink, in SpaceX's case). AST SpaceMobile and Planet Labs, on the other hand, build and operate the satellites themselves — AST for direct-to-cell mobile connectivity, Planet Labs for Earth-imaging data — and typically launch on someone else's rocket rather than their own. It's the difference between building the trucks versus running the delivery business.

Are electric air taxis (Joby, Archer) really 'space stocks'?

Not literally — eVTOL air taxis operate in the atmosphere, not orbit — but they're commonly grouped with space and advanced-aerospace stocks because they share the same investor base, similar pre-revenue/early-commercialization risk profile, and overlapping regulatory (FAA) and technology themes as the broader 'future of flight' trade. We include them here because investors researching space stocks frequently compare them side by side.

What's the biggest risk across this group?

Financing and execution timeline risk. Outside of SpaceX, most of these companies are still pre-profitability or early in commercialization, meaning they depend on continued capital markets access to fund constellation buildouts, rocket development, or aircraft certification. A prolonged risk-off period in capital markets, a major launch failure, or slower-than-guided regulatory approval (especially for Joby and Archer's FAA certification) are the scenarios most likely to derail any single name in this group.

Best Space Stocks to Buy in 2026

August 29, 2026 · BriMindInvest Research Team · 12 min read

SpaceX's historic Nasdaq listing reshaped how investors get exposure to the space economy — but it's far from the only way in. Here's a full comparison of launch, satellite, and advanced-aerospace stocks worth watching in 2026.

Updated August 29, 2026

SpaceX (SPCX) continues to trade actively after its June 12, 2026 Nasdaq debut at $135/share — a ~$1.77 trillion valuation that made it the largest IPO in history. Elsewhere in the sector, AST SpaceMobile's direct-to-cell expansion and Joby/Archer's FAA certification progress remain the catalysts to watch.

Space Stocks at a Glance 2026

SpaceX IPO Date

Jun 12, 2026

Nasdaq: SPCX

SpaceX IPO Valuation

~$1.77T

Largest IPO in history

SpaceX IPO Price

$135/share

Listing price

Rocket Lab Market Cap

~$22B

Small/medium launch

AST SpaceMobile Growth

+180% rev

Direct-to-cell buildout

Global Space Economy

$600B+

Estimated 2026 size

eVTOL Certification

In progress

Joby & Archer FAA track

Commercial Imaging Demand

Rising

Government + enterprise

Why space stocks now

SpaceX Went Public

The largest and most dominant private space company in the world is now a publicly tradable stock, giving retail investors direct access to Starlink's subscriber growth and Starship's launch cadence for the first time.

Satellite Connectivity Is Scaling

AST SpaceMobile's direct-to-cell technology and Starlink's own expansion are turning satellite connectivity from a niche product into mainstream telecom infrastructure, opening a large addressable market beyond traditional space contracts.

Advanced Aerospace Is Nearing Commercialization

Electric air taxi developers Joby and Archer are approaching FAA type certification, a milestone that would move them from pre-revenue development-stage companies toward actual commercial passenger service.

The 6 stocks — comparison table

The 6 stocks — comparison table
Company	Segment	Rev Growth	Market Cap
SPCX SpaceX	Launch, Starlink & Starship	+35%	$1.77T
PL Planet Labs	Earth Observation Imaging	+22%	$3.2B
RKLB Rocket Lab	Small/Medium Launch & Space Systems	+55%	$22B
ASTS AST SpaceMobile	Direct-to-Cell Satellite Network	+180%	$12B
JOBY Joby Aviation	Electric Air Taxi (eVTOL)	Pre-revenue	$8.5B
ACHR Archer Aviation	Electric Air Taxi (eVTOL)	Pre-revenue	$6.8B

Bull Case

+SpaceX's public listing gives the sector a liquid, dominant anchor stock with real profitability from Starlink

+Satellite connectivity (Starlink, AST SpaceMobile) is expanding total addressable market into mainstream telecom

+Falling launch costs continue to make new space business models economically viable

+eVTOL certification progress could unlock an entirely new urban air mobility market

+Government and defense demand for launch and imaging capacity remains structurally strong

Bear Case

−Most names outside SpaceX are pre-profitability and depend on continued capital markets access

−A single major launch failure or safety incident can move the entire group, not just one stock

−eVTOL certification timelines have slipped before and could slip again

−SpaceX's ~$1.77T valuation already prices in years of flawless execution

−Smaller-cap names (RKLB, ASTS, JOBY, ACHR) carry high volatility and dilution risk from ongoing capital raises

Full metrics comparison

AI scores use BriMindInvest's composite signal (20-96 scale). Fwd P/E shown as "—" for pre-profitability names. Data as of August 2026.

Full metrics comparison
Ticker	AI Score	Fwd P/E	Rev Growth	Buy%	Target ↑
SPCX	88	48x	+35%	82%	+20%
PL	68	42x	+22%	65%	+18%
RKLB	75	90x	+55%	74%	+15%
ASTS	66	—	+180%	70%	+28%
JOBY	63	—	—	60%	+25%
ACHR	61	—	—	58%	+22%

Stock-by-stock breakdown

SPCXSpaceXAI 88 · Top-tier

Launch, Starlink & Starship

Fwd P/E

48x

Rev Growth

+35%

Market Cap

$1.77T

Buy %

82%

Target ↑

+20%

Buy 12 (80%)Hold 3Sell 0

PLPlanet LabsAI 68 · Strong

Earth Observation Imaging

Fwd P/E

42x

Rev Growth

+22%

Market Cap

$3.2B

Buy %

65%

Target ↑

+18%

Buy 8 (57%)Hold 5Sell 1

RKLBRocket LabAI 75 · Strong

Small/Medium Launch & Space Systems

Fwd P/E

90x

Rev Growth

+55%

Market Cap

$22B

Buy %

74%

Target ↑

+15%

Buy 14 (67%)Hold 6Sell 1

ASTSAST SpaceMobileAI 66 · Fair

Direct-to-Cell Satellite Network

Fwd P/E

—

Rev Growth

+180%

Market Cap

$12B

Buy %

70%

Target ↑

+28%

Buy 9 (60%)Hold 4Sell 2

JOBYJoby AviationAI 63 · Fair

Electric Air Taxi (eVTOL)

Fwd P/E

—

Rev Growth

Pre-rev

Market Cap

$8.5B

Buy %

60%

Target ↑

+25%

Buy 7 (47%)Hold 6Sell 2

ACHRArcher AviationAI 61 · Fair

Electric Air Taxi (eVTOL)

Fwd P/E

—

Rev Growth

Pre-rev

Market Cap

$6.8B

Buy %

58%

Target ↑

+22%

Buy 6 (43%)Hold 6Sell 2

Recent news and catalysts

Aug 2026SpaceX shares continue trading actively following the June 12, 2026 Nasdaq listing, which valued the company at roughly $1.77 trillion in the largest IPO in history, as Starship cadence and Starlink subscriber growth remain the key metrics investors track quarterly.

Aug 2026AST SpaceMobile expands direct-to-cell satellite coverage agreements with additional international carriers, though the stock remains volatile on financing and constellation-buildout timeline questions.

Jul 2026Rocket Lab's Neutron medium-lift rocket program reaches a key testing milestone as the company works to compete for national security launch contracts previously dominated by larger incumbents.

Jul 2026Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation both report progress toward FAA type certification for their electric air taxi programs, with commercial passenger service pilots targeted in select cities.

Jun 2026Planet Labs signs expanded government imaging contracts as demand for commercial satellite Earth-observation data grows amid heightened geopolitical monitoring needs.

Bottom line verdict

SpaceX's Nasdaq debut changed the entry point for space-sector investors, but it isn't the only way to get exposure. SpaceX (SPCX) remains the highest-conviction, most established pick — a dominant, profitable business with real recurring Starlink revenue. For higher-growth, higher-risk exposure, Rocket Lab (RKLB) offers a pure-play small/medium launch business, while AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) is the most direct bet on satellite-to-phone connectivity becoming mainstream. Joby and Archer remain speculative pre-revenue bets that hinge on FAA certification timing.

Frequently asked questions

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SPCX In-Depth Report PL In-Depth Report RKLB In-Depth Report ASTS In-Depth Report JOBY In-Depth Report ACHR In-Depth Report

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Data sources & disclosures: Financial data and metrics cited in this article are sourced from company SEC filings, earnings releases, and investor relations materials. Market prices and fundamental data are provided by financial market data providers. Market size estimates and industry projections are sourced from industry research and analyst reports. Figures reflect information available at the time of writing and may have changed. AI scores and price targets are proprietary estimates — see our Methodology. This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Please read our full Disclaimer and consult a licensed financial adviser before making investment decisions.

Best Space Stocks to Buy in 2026

Space Stocks at a Glance 2026

Why space stocks now

The 6 stocks — comparison table

Full metrics comparison

Stock-by-stock breakdown

Recent news and catalysts

Bottom line verdict

Frequently asked questions

Compare space stocks side by side

Full In-Depth Reports

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