The pioneering aerospace firm SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, is gearing up for what could be the largest initial public offering in history. Set for 2026, the IPO aims to raise an unprecedented $30 billion, positioning the company’s valuation at approximately $1.5 trillion. The potential offering reflects SpaceX’s ambitious expansion in satellite internet, human spaceflight, and Mars colonization efforts, drawing intense investor interest.
However, details will remain speculative until the filing, leaving questions about whether the stock justifies such a lofty price tag amid regulatory and market risks. While investors await that opportunity to evaluate Elon Musk’s space venture, Rocket Lab (RKLB) stands out as a space stock worth buying today, offering actual growth in the burgeoning commercial space industry.
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Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company specializing in small satellite launches via its Electron rocket, while also building spacecraft and components for various missions. As of the end of 2025, it has conducted over 79 successful launches since its debut in 2017 – 21 this year alone — establishing a track record of reliability in deploying payloads for clients like NASA and private firms.
The company is also advancing its Neutron rocket, a reusable medium-lift vehicle slated for debut in mid-2026, which will expand its capabilities into larger payloads and more frequent operations. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab operates globally with three launch pads in New Zealand and Wallops Island, Virginia.
RKLB stock has gained over 190% in the past 52 weeks, significantly outperforming the S&P 500’s ($SPX) 17% gain, driven by record launches and contract wins. Valuation-wise, its forward price-to-sales ratio stands at around 65x, far exceeding the aerospace and defense industry average of 2.8x. Compared to its own historical averages, which hovered in the 30x to 40x range earlier in 2025, the current metric reflects heightened investor optimism.
This elevated P/S…
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