The race to gain exposure to the booming commercial space economy is increasingly flowing through ETFs and smaller publicly traded space companies as investors await what could become the largest IPO in history from SpaceX.
The frenzy around Elon Musk's rocket and satellite giant has fueled massive inflows into space-focused ETFs, helping the Procure Space ETF (UFO) surpass $1 billion in assets under management while the Tema Space Innovators ETF (NASA) ballooned to roughly $1.27 billion just 37 trading days after launch.
The rapid growth suggests investors are increasingly using space ETFs as proxy trades for SpaceX and the broader satellite broadband and lunar infrastructure boom.
ProcureAM said the fund's growth reflects expanding investor demand from retail traders, registered investment advisors and institutional allocators seeking long-term exposure to the commercial space economy.
NASA's rapid ascent has been even more striking. The actively managed ETF, which launched with just $1 million in seed capital in March, has already become the largest space-focused ETF in the U.S. The fund's surge coincides with growing enthusiasm surrounding SpaceX's newly public IPO filing, which has reignited investor appetite across the sector.
SpaceX IPO Ignites The 'Proxy Trade'
Because SpaceX remains unavailable to most public-market investors ahead of its listing, traders are increasingly turning to ETFs and adjacent public companies as liquid ways to play the theme.
That dynamic has fueled rallies across satellite broadband, launch infrastructure and lunar exploration names in recent sessions. Investors appear to be treating many publicly traded space companies as indirect bets on the growth of Starlink, reusable launch systems and government-backed space spending.
AST SpaceMobile Inc. (ASTS) has emerged as one of the clearest examples. Shares have rallied sharply as investors position around satellite-to-cellular broadband opportunities, a market many view as "Starlink-adjacent." Enthusiasm around the stock intensified further after Defiance ETFs launched the Daily Target 2X Long ASTS ETF (ASTY), a leveraged product designed to amplify short-term exposure to AST SpaceMobile shares.
The broader rally has also lifted Rocket Lab Corp. (RKLB), Intuitive Machines Inc. (LUNR), Planet Labs PBC (PL), BlackSky Technology Inc. (BKSY) and Spire Global Inc. (SPIR), as investors rotate into publicly traded space infrastructure and satellite intelligence companies.
Satellite Broadband and Lunar Infrastructure Gain Momentum
Much of the recent excitement has centered on satellite connectivity and lunar infrastructure, two areas increasingly viewed as commercially viable corners of the space economy.
SpaceX's expected valuation — reportedly driven heavily by the success of its Starlink satellite internet business — has reinforced bullish sentiment around broadband-focused names like AST SpaceMobile. Investors are betting that demand for direct-to-cellular satellite networks, aviation connectivity and defense communications could accelerate over the coming years.
At the same time, government spending and defense contracts are providing another tailwind for the sector. NASA's recent Moon Base updates and ongoing lunar mission initiatives have fueled interest in companies tied to lunar transportation and infrastructure.
The rally suggests the space trade is evolving beyond speculative enthusiasm into a broader infrastructure and connectivity theme, with ETFs increasingly becoming Wall Street's preferred gateway into an industry many analysts believe could eventually grow into a trillion-dollar market.
