Space used to be something only governments touched. NASA, the space shuttle, astronauts on the moon — that was it. But over the last decade, private companies have taken the lead, and the space economy is now projected to hit $1.8 trillion in the next ten years. That means investors like us can actually buy into this growth story before it fully takes off.

Most of the headlines still go to SpaceX, which is privately held, but there are plenty of publicly traded space stocks that give us exposure. Let’s look at five names that could be worth adding to the Trader Family watchlist.

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1. Rocket Lab (RKLB) 🚀

Everyone knows SpaceX, but Rocket Lab is quietly becoming the number two launch provider. Their Electron rocket is already a workhorse for small satellites, and the upcoming Neutron rocket could push them into larger payloads where the real money is.

Why investors like it:
✅ 740% share price gain in the past year.
✅ Expanding into spacecraft manufacturing and satellite services.
✅ Revenue growing fast as launch cadence picks up.

It’s not profitable yet, but Rocket Lab is positioning itself as a vertically integrated space company. If Neutron delivers, it could grab a big piece of the medium-lift market.

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2. AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) 📡📱

This one sounds like science fiction: a cell tower in space. The idea is to let regular smartphones connect directly to satellites without special equipment. That means billions of people in remote or underserved areas could finally have broadband access.

Highlights:
✅ Partnerships already signed with AT&T and Vodafone.
✅ Successful test satellite (BlueWalker 3) already in orbit.
✅ Huge long-term potential in global telecom.

The catch? It’s still highly speculative and needs lots of capital. But if it works, ASTS could change the way the world connects.

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3. Redwire (RDW) 🛰️

Not every space stock is about rockets or flashy projects. Redwire focuses on infrastructure — the behind-the-scenes technology that makes missions possible. Think International Space Station, Mars rovers, and defense contracts.

Why it matters:
✅ A key supplier for NASA, the Department of Defense, and private companies.
✅ Provides “picks and shovels” to the entire space industry.
✅ Embedded across multiple missions.

Financially, Redwire has been bumpy, with revenue misses and delays. But as an essential supplier, it has long-term staying power even if it doesn’t have the same hype factor as Rocket Lab.

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4. Iridium Communications (IRDM) 📞🛰️

Unlike most space plays, Iridium is already profitable. Its low-Earth orbit satellites provide global voice and data services, used by governments, aviation, and maritime operators.

Why it stands out:
✅ Completed a $3 billion satellite upgrade in 2019.
✅ Recurring subscription revenue and steady cash flow.
✅ Partnership with Qualcomm could bring satellite connectivity to smartphones.

Wall Street analysts are bullish, with nearly 40% implied upside. For investors who want space exposure without extreme risk, Iridium is a strong candidate.

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5. Planet Labs (PL) 🌍📸

Planet Labs runs one of the world’s largest fleets of Earth-imaging satellites, capturing daily snapshots of the entire planet. This data powers everything from agriculture to climate monitoring to military intelligence.

Key points:
✅ Subscription model for access to its satellite data archive.
✅ Growing relevance as AI and machine learning make satellite imagery more valuable.
✅ Still not profitable but positioned in a unique niche.

If data is the new oil, Planet Labs may be one of the few companies literally mining it from space.

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Final Thoughts for the Trader Family 🌠

The space sector feels a lot like the internet in the 1990s. The infrastructure is being built, the business models are evolving, and the long-term upside is massive. But just like back then, there will be winners and losers.

That’s why we should treat these stocks carefully. Rocket Lab brings launch capabilities. AST SpaceMobile could change global connectivity. Redwire supplies infrastructure. Iridium already has a proven, profitable network. Planet Labs turns satellites into an information platform.

Together, they give us a mix of high-risk moonshots and steady plays. For long-term investors in the Trader Family, this is an area worth watching closely over the next decade.