Key Takeaways
The successful launch of NASA’s Artemis II mission is fueling a rally across space-related stocks, as investors bet that the first crewed flight toward the moon in over 50 years will accelerate a new era of commercial space enterprise.
"Going back is another sign that 'space is open for business'," Andrew Chanin, CEO of ProcureAM, which sponsors the Procure Space ETF, said. Chanin added that lower launch costs, driven by SpaceX, have helped jump-start the modern space economy.
A basket of space stocks, including lunar lander maker Intuitive Machines Inc. (LUNR) and satellite data company Planet Labs (PL), saw significant gains. Intuitive Machines surged 18.5% on Thursday, while Planet Labs jumped 16.83%. Other notable movers included BlackSky (BKSY), which rose 11.55%, and Firefly Aerospace (FLY), up 10.65%. The group of eight prominent space-related stocks has a combined market value of over $100 billion.
The Artemis II mission, a 10-day lunar flyby, represents a critical step in NASA's long-term plan to establish a permanent human presence on the moon. This ambitious goal is expected to unlock new opportunities for commercial activities, from resource extraction to in-space manufacturing, creating a tailwind for companies positioned to support a sustained lunar economy.
The Artemis II mission involves four astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—on a journey aboard the Orion spacecraft. While this mission is a flyby, it paves the way for future landings and the construction of a lunar base. This renewed focus on the moon is not limited to NASA. China has announced plans to send its astronauts to the moon by 2030, signaling a new era of international competition and collaboration in space.
The ripple effects of the Artemis program extend beyond companies with direct lunar contracts. AST SpaceMobile Inc. (ASTS), which is building a space-based cellular broadband network, gained 10.28%. The increased media attention on deep-space communications provides a thematic boost for companies like ASTS. Similarly, Rocket Lab (RKLB), a provider of small-satellite launch services, benefits from the overall validation of the space infrastructure thesis.
For investors, the near-term trading activity is heavily tied to the Artemis II mission's progress. A successful mission is likely to sustain speculative interest in high-beta space stocks as traders anticipate future contracts and increased government funding. Conversely, any technical issues or anomalies could quickly dampen risk appetite.
The eight-stock group trades at approximately 26 times estimated 2026 sales, a premium valuation that reflects expectations for rapid expansion. Sales for this cohort are projected to grow by roughly 90% by 2026. The upcoming IPO of SpaceX, valued at around $1.3 trillion in private markets, is also expected to be a major event for the sector, drawing more capital and attention to the public space companies.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
