The space industry is poised for significant growth in 2026, driven by advances in commercial satellite exploitation, lunar exploration, and the integration of AI into space technologies. With trends such as increasing sovereign investment in space assets, expanding competition in satellite broadband, and renewed interest in lunar infrastructure, investors are looking to companies that can capitalize on these developments.
Two notable stocks in this sector are Planet Labs (NYSE:) and Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ:). Both companies are deeply entrenched in the space economy, offering unique value propositions that could make them attractive buys in the coming year.
Here’s a closer look at what each company does, their ties to the space sector, and why they deserve a spot on your investing radar for 2026.
1. Planet Laboratories
Current price: $28.28
Market capitalization: $8.8 billion
Planet Labs operates the world’s largest fleet of Earth imaging satellites, providing daily high-resolution analyzes for agriculture, defense and climate monitoring. Their data is used by governments (including NASA and the US military), businesses and even hedge funds that track global supply chains.
The company’s robust satellite infrastructure (more than 200 in orbit) and extensive unique image archive position it as a critical player in global surveillance and geospatial intelligence.
Financially, PL is on fire: its stock is at an all-time high, having surged 658% over the past year and 326% over the past six months. Despite some concerns about current valuations, Planet Labs has captured less than 1% of its massive total addressable market, leaving enormous room for expansion as the integration of AI and satellite services accelerates.
Source: Investing.com
Planet Labs is experiencing a sharp inflection in its growth, with third-quarter fiscal 2026 revenue up 33% from a year earlier and backlog up 216% to $734.5 million due to expanding government agreements. It has achieved four consecutive quarters of positive adjusted EBITDA and expects positive free cash flow for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
Analysts widely appreciate it…
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