Best Space Stocks to Buy in 2026 According to Analysts: Rocket Lab, EchoStar Top the List

TLDR

• New Street Research launched coverage on 10 space stocks, giving Buy ratings to Rocket Lab, Viasat, EchoStar, and Space42.
• SpaceX is planning a midyear IPO that could value the company at up to $2 trillion.
• SpaceX’s Starship could cut orbital launch costs by 90% compared to its own Falcon 9 rocket.
• Rocket Lab stock has risen 415% over the past 12 months and carries an 80% Buy rating from analysts.
• Morgan Stanley estimates the space economy could reach $1 trillion by 2040.

New Street Research has started coverage on 10 space-related stocks, naming four as buys. The move comes as the broader space industry draws growing investor attention ahead of SpaceX’s planned IPO.

SpaceX is targeting a midyear listing that could raise up to $75 billion. The company could be valued at as much as $2 trillion, which would make it one of the largest IPOs in history. New Street says it plans to begin coverage of SpaceX ahead of that offering.

The research firm says space is “the next frontier,” with the potential to capture trillions of dollars in economic growth over the next two decades. It sees space-based systems disrupting industries including telecom, defense, and artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Alphabet and SpaceX have both expressed interest in placing AI data centers in orbit. Defense-related space applications are also expected to grow in the years ahead.

A major driver behind the industry’s growth is falling launch costs. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket cut the price of reaching space by more than 95% compared to the Space Shuttle. The company’s newer Starship system could reduce costs by another 90% compared to Falcon 9.

New Street’s Top Picks

New Street’s four Buy-rated stocks are Rocket Lab, Viasat, EchoStar, and UAE-based Space42.

Rocket Lab is described as the only Western alternative to SpaceX in the launch market. Its stock has climbed 415% over the past 12 months. The average analyst price target is around $105, while New Street sets its target at $150. Shares closed Wednesday at $124.15.

Rocket Lab USA, Inc., RKLB

About 80% of Wall Street analysts covering Rocket Lab rate it a Buy. The company is expected to turn profitable by 2028.

Viasat and Space42 are flagged for their spectrum assets — the wireless frequencies used to carry calls and data. EchoStar holds a stake in SpaceX alongside its own spectrum holdings.

Satellite operators AST SpaceMobile, SES, and Iridium received Hold ratings. Eutelsat, Planet Labs, and Telesat were rated Sell.

The Bigger Picture

Morgan Stanley estimates the overall space economy could hit $1 trillion by 2040. But analysts caution that the sector carries real risks — it is capital-intensive, relies heavily on government contracts, and involves complex technology.

Lockheed Martin remains one of the largest players in the sector. Space accounts for more than 15% of its revenue, and it has exposure to hypersonic missiles and satellite manufacturing through a Boeing joint venture.

L3Harris expanded its space business through its 2023 acquisition of Aerojet Rocketdyne, one of only two U.S. companies making large rocket engines at the time.

AST SpaceMobile is working to connect standard mobile phones directly to satellites. The company signed deals with cellular partners but still faces high costs to build out its full satellite fleet.

Rocket Lab trades at 111 times expected sales over the next 12 months. New Street’s price target of $150 is based partly on 30 times projected 2030 operating profit.

EchoStar shares closed Wednesday at $133.23, against a New Street target of $161. Viasat closed at $70.58, with a New Street target of $100.

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