Space Sector Opportunities Emerge Amid SpaceX IPO Anticipation

While the market focuses on the eventual initial public offering of SpaceX, several publicly traded entities in the aerospace sector are presenting significant growth trajectories. AST SpaceMobile and Rocket Lab are emerging as key players in the commercialization of the 'final frontier,' potentially benefiting from a broader sector rally once SpaceX goes public. AST SpaceMobile is aggressively scaling its satellite-based cellular broadband network through strategic partnerships with global carriers including AT&T, Verizon, and Vodafone. The company demonstrated rapid early growth, with revenue jumping from $4.4 million in 2024 to $70.9 million in 2025. Analysts project a significant leap to $777 million in revenue next year, with earnings per share potentially reaching nearly $4 by 2029. Rocket Lab continues to diversify beyond its well-known launch services. Its space systems segment, which focuses on spacecraft components and hardware, remains the primary driver of its business. Last year, the launch segment grew by nearly 40%, while space systems grew by over 34%. Despite a high valuation—trading at over 73 times trailing-12-month sales with a $48 billion market cap—Rocket Lab is expected to maintain mid-double-digit annualized sales growth. For both companies, the path to profitability remains the primary execution risk, though their current trajectories suggest strong long-term potential for investors seeking exposure to the space economy.