Rocket Lab, Intuitive Machines, and Planet Labs: Which Space Stock Stands Out?

TLDR

• Rocket Lab posted full-year 2025 revenue of $602 million, up 38%, with a backlog of $1.85 billion and a Moderate Buy consensus on Wall Street
• Intuitive Machines reported $210 million in 2025 revenue, but backlog surged to $943 million by February 2026, with 2026 guidance of $900 million to $1 billion
• Planet Labs grew fiscal 2026 revenue 26% to $307.7 million, hit positive adjusted EBITDA, and holds a $900 million backlog
• All three stocks carry mixed-to-positive analyst ratings, with Rocket Lab earning the strongest support and Intuitive Machines the most divided opinion
• Valuation concerns are emerging across all three names after recent stock price rallies

The space sector has attracted growing investor attention, with Rocket Lab, Intuitive Machines, and Planet Labs standing out as three of the most closely watched publicly traded names. Each company operates in a different part of the space economy, and Wall Street’s view on each stock tells a different story.

Rocket Lab is one of the better-known space companies on public markets. It reported full-year 2025 revenue of about $602 million, up 38% from the prior year. The company ended the year with a backlog of roughly $1.85 billion, and gross margins improved, showing growth beyond its original small-launch business.

Rocket Lab USA, Inc., RKLB

Analyst sentiment on Rocket Lab leans positive. MarketBeat lists it with a Moderate Buy consensus, with 9 Buy ratings and 4 to 5 Hold ratings and no Sell ratings. Some analysts have grown more cautious after the stock’s rally, with valuation seen as less forgiving than before.

Intuitive Machines: Big Backlog, High Stakes

Intuitive Machines is more directly tied to lunar missions and NASA-backed programs. The company reported 2025 revenue of about $210 million. Year-end backlog stood at $213.1 million, but management said that figure had climbed to roughly $943 million by February 28, 2026.

Intuitive Machines, Inc., LUNR

The company guided for 2026 revenue of $900 million to $1 billion. That would be a large jump if major contract awards convert as expected.

Wall Street is more divided here. MarketBeat shows a Hold consensus with 8 Buy ratings, 3 Hold ratings, and 2 Sell ratings. Supporters see a company growing into a broader space prime contractor. Critics point to execution risk and government program timing as key concerns.

Profitability still depends on a large ramp that has not yet fully shown up in reported numbers.

Planet Labs: Defense Demand Drives Growth

Planet Labs operates in Earth observation and has seen demand grow from defense and government customers. The company reported fiscal 2026 revenue of $307.7 million, up 26%. Fourth-quarter revenue rose 41% to $86.8 million.

Planet Labs PBC, PL

Planet also posted positive adjusted EBITDA for the full year. Backlog finished at around $900 million, giving investors more forward visibility than many earlier-stage space companies.

Analyst sentiment sits at a Hold consensus on MarketBeat, with 6 Buy ratings, 4 Hold ratings, and 1 Sell rating. The improving business fundamentals have helped confidence, but some analysts appear concerned that the stock’s recent rally has moved ahead of where the numbers currently stand.

The company’s growing defense revenue has been one of the clearer positives in recent quarters.

Across all three companies, the underlying businesses are growing. Rocket Lab carries the strongest operational momentum and clearest analyst support. Intuitive Machines has the largest potential upside tied to future contract wins. Planet Labs pairs improving financials with a valuation debate that keeps analysts split.

Final Thoughts

All three companies are growing, and each one serves a different part of the space market. Rocket Lab has the strongest track record right now. Intuitive Machines has the biggest potential if its contracts come through.

Planet Labs is building steady revenue but may need its stock price to catch up with expectations before analysts turn more bullish. For anyone watching the space sector, these three stocks offer a clear view of where the opportunity sits — and where the risks are.

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