In this article, we will discuss: 10 Best Space Exploration Stocks to Buy Now.
Space exploration stocks are publicly traded companies that operate in various fields related to the expanding space economy, including satellite technology, launch services, space-based data, and space tourism.
The global space market is anticipated to reach $800 billion by 2027, propelled by both commercial services and space exploration projects. The value of space operations has more than doubled between 2007 and 2022, and satellite launches soared dramatically, resulting in over 11,000 active satellites in orbit now and projections of 20,000 by 2030. This expansion carries risks: reported close-range approaches between satellites surged by 58% from 2021 to 2022, exposing congestion and debris concerns. Investment cycles reflect these dynamics. After a drop in 2022, private financing recovered in 2023, raising $12.5 billion, though still below peaks. Meanwhile, global government expenditures grew, fueled by awareness of space’s strategic, scientific, and exploration significance.
Promising programs like Artemis in the United States and India’s Chandrayaan lunar missions showcase how exploration may open up fresh markets, from in-orbit manufacturing to satellite servicing. According to Deloitte’s analysis:
“The benefits of a robust space sector are growing as innovations, like larger launch vehicles and in-orbit manufacturing, mature.”
With that said, here are the 10 Best Space Exploration Stocks to Buy Now.
Our Methodology
We sifted through ETFs and online rankings to form an initial list of the 10 Best Space Exploration Stocks to Buy Now According to Hedge Funds. From the resultant dataset, we chose 10 stocks with the highest number of hedge fund investors, using Insider Monkey’s database of 1000 hedge funds in Q2 2025 to gauge hedge fund sentiment for stocks.
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 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
10. AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 30
UBS maintained its Buy recommendation on AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS) shares and lifted the firm’s price objective from $38 to $62 on August 14. The analyst informs investors in a research note that UBS is constructive due to an improved funding position and a government opportunity that surpasses the firm’s initial expectations.
AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTS) is a manufacturer and designer of satellites. The company is using a vast IP and patent portfolio to develop a cellular broadband network in space that will function directly with off-the-shelf mobile phones and ordinary, unmodified mobile devices. Its main goal has been to close the connectivity gaps that mobile subscribers encounter.
The company’s spaceMobile service is being developed to offer end users who are outside of terrestrial cellular coverage high-speed, reasonably priced cellular broadband services through their current mobile handsets. It is among the Best Space Stocks.
9. Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 31
Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY) achieved a significant milestone by successfully displaying its Superpilot™ autonomous flight technology during the Resolute Force Pacific exercise, led by Pacific Air Forces. The system accomplished six sorties totaling 2,416 miles and recorded 7,342 miles over 43.7 hours, including a 4,925-mile Pacific crossing. Superpilot showed dynamic retasking, ISR missions, and quick cargo delivery while operating in several classes of airspace under both VFR and IFR. Chief Policy Officer Greg Bowles described the event as “a testament to our decade-long collaboration with the Department of Defense.”
The exercise confirmed the need for effective light intra-theater airlift that lessens dependency on larger aircraft, as requested by the U.S. Air Force. The importance of testing autonomy in contested logistics was brought up by Lt. Col. Jonathan Gilbert of AFWERX Prime. The DoD has requested $9.4 billion for autonomous and hybrid aircraft in FY26, which puts the firm in a competitive position for future programs. Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY) acquired Xwing’s autonomy section in 2024, expediting the incorporation of Superpilot for both defense and commercial air taxi platforms. It is one of the Best Space Stocks.
8. Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:IRDM)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 33
Mathieu Robilliard, an analyst at Barclays, maintained an Overweight rating on Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:IRDM) target from $38 to $31 on July 28. The company lowered its post-earnings projections to account for less definite prospects for development in Iridium’s new verticals. Nonetheless, the company believes the stock’s price is supportive and the company’s growth is still appealing.
Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ:IRDM) is a commercial communications services provider that connects individuals, groups, and assets in real time to and from any location with truly globalized coverage. The company uses a constellation of low-Earth orbiting satellites to provide mobile voice and data connectivity services. Its solutions are appropriate to industries such as maritime, aviation, government/military, emergency/humanitarian services, mining, forestry, oil and gas, heavy equipment, transportation, and utilities. Furthermore, the firm serves subscribers from the U.S. Department of Defense and other government and civil groups worldwide. The company focuses on one business segment: satellite communications services and products. It is ranked eighth on our list of the Best Space Stocks.
7. Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE:ACHR)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 35
Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE:ACHR) announced significant advancements in scaling its Midnight eVTOL aircraft in its Q2 2025 results. The business now has six aircraft in production, with three in final assembly at sites in California and Georgia. The firm was appointed as the Official Air Taxi Provider for the LA28 Olympic Games and inaugurated its UAE business with Abu Dhabi Aviation and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, sending its first Midnight aircraft to the region. The company executed two purchases to strengthen its defense capabilities while keeping a cash position of $1.7 billion, which led the sector. Adam Goldstein, the CEO, highlighted the need to execute from “a position of strength.”
With the help of inspections of its Georgia and Silicon Valley production lines, Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE:ACHR) is moving closer to FAA type certification. Early U.S. eVTOL deployments were supported by a White House Executive Order in June 2025, which brought federal and local partners together. Acquisitions from Overair and Mission Critical Composites strengthened production and intellectual property in response to defense demand from four allied programs. The business will be ready for early commercial service by 2026 because of these efforts. It is among the Best Space Stocks.
6. Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ:RKLB)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 46
Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ:RKLB) effectively launched its 70th Electron mission on August 23, 2025, from Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand. The mission, known as ‘Live, Laugh, Launch’, launched at 22:42 UTC, marking the firm’s 12th mission of 2025 and confirming Electron’s status as the world’s most regularly launched small orbital rocket. Sir Peter Beck, the founder and CEO, referred to the milestone as “a powerful moment,” noting the team’s and Electron’s operational maturity and the pace at which they have achieved their goals.
The 70th launch takes place fewer than three weeks after Electron’s previous mission, showing Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ:RKLB)’s expedited timeline. The business set a record in June by launching two products from the same location two days apart. Most 2025 missions, like this one, support multi-launch contracts that deploy satellite constellations in low Earth orbit, proving the industry’s reliance on Electron. The company is developing its next-generation Neutron rocket, which aims for reusable, medium-lift capability while keeping a high flight cadence. It is one of the Best Space Stocks.
5. Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LDOS)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 48
Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LDOS) has received Amazon Web Services’ (AWS) Trusted Secure Enclave (TSE) Vetted Partner certification, a distinguished honor acknowledging the highest standards in secure enclave design and implementation. The Leidos Secure Environment, a cloud-based governance platform built on AWS TSE, facilitates safe collaboration across multi-organizational and multinational environments, which is essential to this success.
Kevin Fogarty, CTO at Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LDOS), stated, “Achieving AWS Vetted Partner status validates our leadership in building secure cloud architectures for the world’s most complex missions.” John Nicely of AWS pointed out the collaboration’s contribution to the implementation of swift and strict compliance infrastructure.
The firm’s support of AUKUS Pillar 2, where safe, policy-driven cooperation is crucial for defense and research among allies, is strengthened by the recognition. Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LDOS), a Fortune 500 leader in secure cloud and mission-driven technology transformation, has 47,000 employees worldwide and had $16.7 billion in revenue in FY2024. The company is headquartered in Reston, Virginia. It is ranked fifth on our list of the Best Space Stocks.
4. Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 51
Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY) will acquire TransponderTech from Saab AB to diversify its maritime solutions offering. The Swedish firm focuses on AIS, VDES, and GNSS technologies, including solutions for GPS/GNSS spoofing and jamming. TransponderTech will join Teledyne FLIR’s Maritime division, which also comprises Raymarine, FLIR Marine, and ChartWorld. Grégoire Outters, VP and GM of Teledyne FLIR Maritime, stated:
“Adding TransponderTech’s advanced AIS, VDES, and GNSS technologies should enhance the safety, efficiency, and operational reach of our customers at sea.”
The acquisition is scheduled to close in Q4 2025 and represents Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY)’s third company carve-out in 2025.
TransponderTech is a SOLAS-certified maritime communications leader, pioneering next-generation AIS with VDES, which provides improved safety and global satellite coverage. The acquisition enhances Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY)’s involvement in maritime security and navigation, thereby broadening its global technological footprint. The firm is already active in ECDIS, radars, and thermal imaging. It is among the Best Space Stocks.
3. BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:BWXT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 34
BofA maintained its Buy rating on BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:BWXT) shares and lifted the firm’s price objective from $155 to $220 on August 13. According to the analyst, BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:BWXT) is “uniquely positioned to support deployment of military and space nuclear power,” and its naval nuclear power units are still in high demand.
BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:BWXT) is a nuclear component manufacturer and service provider with two business segments: government operations and commercial operations. The U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program’s naval nuclear reactors and fuel are manufactured by the Government Operations segment. The Commercial Operations segment designs and manufactures commercial nuclear steam generators, heat exchangers, pressure vessels, reactor components, and other auxiliary equipment, such as containers for the storage of spent nuclear fuel and other high-level nuclear waste. The company primarily sells in the US, Canada, and other countries, and Government Operations accounts for the majority of its revenue. It is one of the Best Space Stocks.
2. Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 73
Korea Zinc, the world’s largest zinc smelter, signed a memorandum of understanding with Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) on August 25, 2025, to establish a China-free germanium supply chain. High-purity germanium made at its new Onsan facility will be supplied by Korea Zinc, and Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT) will be granted priority procurement rights. The agreement focuses on Korea-U.S. collaboration on essential minerals and was observed by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Michael Williamson, President of the firm, and Yun B. Choi, Chairman of Korea Zinc. Korea Zinc intends to invest KRW 140 billion in its manufacturing facility with the goal of producing 10 tons per year by 2028.
Germanium is essential for satellite solar panels, thermal imaging, infrared detectors, and night-vision goggles. China currently contributes 68% of global refined output (140 tons in 2021), making diversification a top aim. Korea Zinc, South Korea’s sole producer of antimony, indium, and bismuth, solidifies its position in key minerals. Lockheed Martin Corporation (NYSE:LMT), with a $176 billion backlog by 2024, receives safe access for defense and space applications. It is ranked second on our list of the Best Space Stocks.
1. Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 78
Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR) has announced a multi-year extension of its cooperation with SOMPO Holdings, Inc. via its joint venture, Palantir Technologies Japan KK. The firm’s Foundry platform is actively being used by more than 8,000 SOMPO employees in Japan across various companies. Critical functions, including fraud detection, claims triage, and monitoring, are supported by Foundry, which also revolutionizes SOMPO’s entire claims payment process. AI agents now autonomously assess risk and suggest courses of action for underwriters, resulting in an anticipated yearly financial improvement of $10 million. Mikio Okumura, the CEO of SOMPO, acknowledged Foundry’s expanding contribution to efficiency and profitability, while Kevin Kawasaki of Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR) underlined the adoption’s scope.
SOMPO has been using Foundry since 2020, first for patient support and government reporting in senior citizen care facilities. The platform has grown to include insurance claims and underwriting since then, and it now plays a crucial role in important business choices. This represents the partnership’s second expansion, coming after a $50 million deal in 2023, and shows a growing dependence on Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR)’s AI-powered solutions. It is the Best Space Stock.
While we acknowledge the potential of PLTR to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than PLTR and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock.
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