Space Economy Targets $1 Trillion as SpaceX Files for IPO

The global space economy is on track to triple to over $1 trillion by 2040, according to Morgan Stanley research, driven primarily by satellite communications and broadband demand. Against that backdrop, multiple space companies are accelerating growth and preparing for major financial milestones.

Space Exploration Technologies Corp., the world's leading rocket launch services provider and operator of Starlink, reportedly filed confidentially for an initial public offering in April 2026. Speculators suggest the company could go public with a valuation of roughly $1.75 trillion, which would rank among the largest IPOs in history.

Rocket Lab is also scaling rapidly. The company reported revenue growth from $436 million in 2024 to $601 million in 2025 and booked a record 36 new launch missions in the first quarter of 2026. It is currently developing Neutron, a reusable medium-lift rocket designed to capture more of the growing launch market.

AST SpaceMobile is building a space-based broadband cellular network and has partnered with approximately 60 companies. Analysts project the company's revenue will reach over $734 million by fiscal year 2027, reflecting strong demand for direct-to-mobile satellite connectivity.

Together, these developments signal a sector transitioning from early-stage experimentation to commercial-scale operations, with established players and newcomers alike positioning themselves for a market that financial analysts expect to expand dramatically over the next decade and a half.