In this article, we will take a look at the 10 best space exploration stocks to buy according to analysts.
The global space industry has been drawing increasing attention as both national security and commercial technology development show a strong interest in satellite infrastructure and space-based data systems. Global investment in space technology grew significantly in 2025, with private funding rising 48% to $12.4 billion, according to a Reuters report. The report cited data from Seraphim Space showing that the last quarter of 2025 accounted for $3.8 billion in investments. This total funding surpassed the previous recorded high in 2021, marking a recovery from the sector downturn in 2022.
The sector also witnesses increased support from the government with U.S. President Donald Trump signing an executive order designating space as a core national security and economic priority in December 2025. According to the Reuters article, investors see the policy as a step to increase long-term funding for space systems and related technologies.
With these developments, the investment opportunities in the space exploration sector are expanding. With that, analysts continue to monitor leading companies, focusing on stocks based on their performance relative to changes in the market environment.
In this regard, we have brought to you the 10 best space exploration stocks based on analyst recommendations that could optimize your portfolios.
Our Methodology
To identify the 10 best space exploration stocks to buy according to analysts, we screened for space exploration companies with analyst price targets at least 10% above current market prices to ensure they have strong upside potential. We then ranked stocks by the number of hedge funds holding a stake in each, according to Insider Monkey’s hedge fund database as of Q4 2025. We limited our final selection to companies that have recently reported noteworthy developments likely to impact investor sentiment. All the pricing data are as of market close on March 17, 2026.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 498.7% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 303 percentage points (see more details here).
10. York Space Systems, Inc. (NYSE:YSS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: N/A
York Space Systems, Inc. (NYSE:YSS) is one of the 10 best space exploration stocks to buy according to analysts.
York Space Systems, Inc. (NYSE:YSS), on March 12, 2026, announced the acquisition of Orbion Space Technology, a Michigan-based specialist in flight-proven electric propulsion systems. With this move, the company secures a critical subsystem within its domestic supply chain, which increases schedule certainty as well as enhances the system-level reliability for constellation-scale missions. Orbion’s Aurora Hall-effect thrusters are already operational on the York spacecraft. The acquisition is expected to optimize the alignment between Orbion’s propulsion systems and satellite design. This transaction, in addition to the earlier made ATLAS Space Operations acquisition, reinforces York Space Systems, Inc. (NYSE:YSS)’s critical mission capabilities across propulsion, ground operations, and mission execution.
Separately, on February 23, 2026, Citi analyst John Godyn initiated coverage of York Space Systems, Inc. (NYSE:YSS) with a Buy rating. The price target was set at $37. The analyst commented in the research noted that the stock offers a high-risk, high-reward investment opportunity within the growing global space megatrend.
Note: The company became publicly listed in January 2026; hence, our Insider Monkey hedge fund database for the fourth quarter of 2025 did not cover it.
Founded in 2012, York Space Systems, Inc. (NYSE:YSS) is a defense and space prime that provides end-to-end satellite solutions. Its headquarters is in Colorado.
9. Satellogic Inc. (NASDAQ:SATL)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 15
Satellogic Inc. (NASDAQ:SATL) is one of the 10 best space exploration stocks to buy according to analysts.
On March 11, 2026, Freedom Capital initiated coverage of Satellogic Inc. (NASDAQ:SATL) with a Buy rating. The firm has set a price target of $4.50 on the company’s stock. Based on the analyst comments, better monetization of the current on-orbit capacity is anticipated to increase the revenue, leading to a near-term growth for the next-generation Earth Observation platform operator. The firm also noted that the expanding service offerings will further support this upside.
Separately, on February 23, 2026, Satellogic Inc. (NASDAQ:SATL) announced the launch of Aleph Observer, a persistent monitoring service providing continuous situational awareness across critical locations around the world. The platform allows for daily automated monitoring of hundreds of global sites. Emiliano Kargieman, CEO and Co-Founder of Satellogic Inc. (NASDAQ:SATL), gave the following statement during the announcement.
Aleph Observer enables them to monitor hundreds of sites daily with the consistency, performance, and economics required to sustain that level of coverage.
Founded in 2010, Satellogic Inc. (NASDAQ:SATL) is a vertically integrated geospatial analytics company focused on building a scalable and fully automated Earth Observation platform to deliver planetary-scale insights. Its headquarters is in North Carolina.
8. Firefly Aerospace Inc. (NASDAQ:FLY)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 22
Firefly Aerospace Inc. (NASDAQ:FLY) is one of the 10 best space exploration stocks to buy according to analysts.
On March 12, 2026, Roth Capital reiterated its Buy rating on Firefly Aerospace Inc. (NASDAQ:FLY) while maintaining a price target of $30 on the company’s stock. The update follows the successful rocket launch of FLTA0007 Alpha mission, which included a precise payload delivery for Lockheed Martin (LMT). According to the firm, this successful return-to-flight for Alpha after a previous anomaly paves the way for multiple potential launches in upcoming quarters. Additionally, the firm noted that the transition to the advanced Block II Alpha rocket could lead the company to high-value opportunities, including the rapid-response hypersonic market and the Golden Dome.
Prior to this, on March 11, 2026, Firefly Aerospace Inc. (NASDAQ:FLY) announced the launch of the Alpha Flight 7 mission from Vandenberg. Adam Oakes, Vice President of Launch at Firefly Aerospace Inc. (NASDAQ:FLY), stated that the launch validated Alpha’s performance ahead of the Block II upgrade.
I’m incredibly proud of the Firefly team for continuing to define perseverance. We have full confidence in our Alpha rocket, and we’re committed to continuous improvement as we roll out Block II.
Founded in 2017, Firefly Aerospace Inc. (NASDAQ:FLY) is a space and defense technology company that provides space launch vehicles. Its headquarters is in Texas.
7. Intuitive Machines, Inc. (NASDAQ:LUNR)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 28
Intuitive Machines, Inc. (NASDAQ:LUNR) is one of the 10 best space exploration stocks to buy according to analysts.
On March 3, 2026, Intuitive Machines, Inc. (NASDAQ:LUNR) announced that its subsidiary Lanteris Space Systems has been selected by L3Harris Technologies (LHX) to develop 18 advanced spacecraft platforms for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 3 Tracking Layer. The effort is a crucial part of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, designed to provide persistent, real-time tracking of advanced missile threats, which includes hypersonic and ballistic systems. The program strengthens the resilience of the global defense by integrating high-performance sensing and on-orbit data processing. Steve Altemus, CEO of Intuitive Machines, Inc. (NASDAQ:LUNR), gave the following statement.
This builds on a foundation of proven performance and mission trust earned through previous tracking layer selections that we look forward to carrying forward with L3Harris and the Space Development Agency.
In another development, on February 27, 2026, Intuitive Machines, Inc. (NASDAQ:LUNR) completed a $175 million equity financing round through the issuance of Class A common stock at $15.12 per share to institutional investors. Part of the deal involved the company entering into a Registration Rights Agreement on the same closing date. Accordingly, a resale registration statement is set to be filed by April 1, 2026.
Founded in 2013, Intuitive Machines, Inc. (NASDAQ:LUNR) is a space infrastructure company that provides lunar delivery, satellite data, and orbital services. Its headquarters is in Texas.
6. Redwire Corporation (NYSE:RDW)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 28
Redwire Corporation (NYSE:RDW) is one of the 10 best space exploration stocks to buy according to analysts.
On March 9, 2026, Truist upgraded its rating on Redwire Corporation (NYSE:RDW) from Hold to Buy. The firm’s analyst also raised the stock’s price target from $13 to $15. The firm believes that improving program mix and continued development progress will likely moderate the annual cost charges. It further cited the attainable targets for 2026 established by the company’s new CFO, Chris Edmunds, and the Golden Dome awards. These are seen by the firm as significant near-term catalysts anticipated to induce further backlog growth.
In a more recent development, Redwire Corporation (NYSE:RDW) announced that NASA has awarded the company an additional $4 million to expand drug development research on the International Space Station. The funding supports a broader $25 million, five-year, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract aimed at advancing space-based biotechnology. Redwire Corporation (NYSE:RDW) will facilitate the growth of high-quality protein crystals in microgravity, using its PIL-BOX technology, to aid treatments for cancer, osteoporosis, and obesity.
Founded in 2020, Redwire Corporation (NYSE:RDW) is an integrated space and defense tech company that provides mission-critical systems like roll-out solar arrays and in-space manufacturing. Its headquarters is in Florida.
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