SpaceX is approaching one of the most consequential moments in its history. The company has filed for an IPO targeting a mid-June 2026 debut on Nasdaq, and markets are already responding.
Space ETFs Boom Ahead of SpaceX IPO
Space-themed ETFs have pulled in $1.3 billion in new cash over the last month, pushing total assets under management to $3.3 billion, according to Morningstar Direct. Much of the momentum ties back to SpaceX’s announced plans for a mid-June 2026 IPO on Nasdaq.
Before this year, the Procure Space ETF (UFO) was the only pure-play option for space investors since its 2019 launch. Six new funds have since entered the market. The Tema Space Innovators ETF (NASA) alone gathered more in seven weeks than UFO did in seven years. VanEck’s WARP and Corgi’s DIPR launched days apart in early May and have already attracted $13.6 million combined.
Rocket Lab (RKLB) and AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) posted 12-month gains of 393% and 258%, respectively, even before the IPO news dominated headlines.
Analysts do flag one concern: with so few pure-play space companies available, all seven space ETFs share the same four stocks in their top 10 holdings, with at least 50% overlap across total portfolios.
SpaceX to Acquire EchoStar Spectrum in $17 Billion Deal
SpaceX announced Monday, September 8, that it will acquire wireless spectrum licenses from EchoStar in a deal valued at approximately $17 billion.
The transaction aims to support the expansion of Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellite service and future 5G capabilities.
The agreement also includes a combination of cash and equity, with SpaceX set to pay up to $8.5 billion in cash and issue up to $8.5 billion in company stock.
In addition, SpaceX will cover around $2 billion in interest payments on EchoStar’s debt through late 2027.
As part of the deal, subscribers of EchoStar’s Boost Mobile will gain access to Starlink’s satellite network.
The companies say this integration will extend cellular coverage to remote and underserved areas by connecting directly to Starlink satellites without requiring traditional ground towers.
Furthermore, the acquisition positions SpaceX to accelerate its push into the cellular market by operating its own licensed spectrum rather than depending on third-party arrangements.
SpaceX to Invest $2 Billion in xAI
SpaceX has committed $2 billion to xAI as part of a $5 billion equity round, according to The Wall Street Journal.
This deal deepens financial and operational ties between Elon Musk’s ventures, as xAI works to scale its infrastructure and compete with OpenAI.
The investment also follows xAI’s merger with X, which brings the combined company’s valuation to $113 billion. Grok’s chatbot now supports Starlink customer service and is being considered for Tesla’s Optimus robots.
In addition to this SpaceX news, when asked on X if Tesla might also invest in xAI, Musk responded that it would be “subject to board and shareholder approval.”
It’s not up to me. If it was up to me, Tesla would have invested in xAI long ago.
We will have a shareholder vote on the matter.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2025
At the same time, the response did not confirm or deny the SpaceX transaction.
SpaceX News: SpaceX Expected to Reach $400 Billion Valuation
SpaceX is preparing a new funding round that could push its valuation to around $400 billion, according to sources familiar with the talks.
This deal would involve selling insider shares and set a new benchmark for private U.S. companies, exceeding SpaceX’s $350 billion valuation during its December buyback.
The growth is tied mainly to Starlink, which now contributes more than half of the company’s annual revenue.
In addition, the satellite internet unit continues expanding into commercial, defense, and remote service markets.
In related SpaceX news, the company is also working to recover from a June explosion at its Texas test site.
Conclusion
The six new space ETFs that launched in anticipation of the IPO, and the billions flowing into them, show how much institutional and retail appetite has built up around SpaceX’s public debut.
Whether the stock lives up to those expectations will depend on execution, but the market has already decided this is a story worth betting on.
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