What If You Invested in SpaceX's Early Backers Instead?
SpaceX is about to go public at a $1.75 trillion valuation - potentially the largest IPO in history. But here's the thing: you couldn't actually buy SpaceX stock. It's been private since 2002.
So what if you did the next best thing and invested in the companies that bet on SpaceX early - or the publicly traded stocks riding the same wave?
Google's $900 Million Bet
In January 2015, Google and Fidelity wrote a combined $1 billion check for roughly 10% of SpaceX when the company was valued at $12 billion. Google's portion was approximately $900 million for a 7.4% stake.
At the current $1.75 trillion IPO valuation, that stake is worth over $110 billion. That's a 122x return in 11 years.
If you had put $10,000 into Alphabet (GOOGL) stock in January 2015 instead of trying to get into SpaceX directly, you'd have roughly $134,061 today. Not a 122x return, but the SpaceX upside is now baked into Alphabet's balance sheet.
The Publicly Traded Space Economy
| Stock | Price (Jun 2026) | 1-Year Return |
|---|---|---|
| Rocket Lab (RKLB) | ~$102 | +184.2% |
| AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) | ~$89 | +90.2% |
| Planet Labs (PL) | ~$33 | +443.1% |
When reports broke on March 25 that SpaceX's IPO filing was imminent, space stocks rallied across the board. A successful IPO validates the whole space economy thesis.
Rocket Lab (RKLB)
Rocket Lab is the closest public company to a "mini SpaceX." They build and launch rockets, and they're developing Neutron - a medium-lift reusable rocket. The stock has run to about $102, up roughly 184.2% over the past year, after a volatile climb that included a pullback earlier in 2026.
AST SpaceMobile (ASTS)
AST SpaceMobile is building a space-based cellular broadband network - basically Starlink but connecting directly to regular smartphones. The stock has swung from under $20 to over $110 and back.
Planet Labs (PL)
Planet Labs operates the largest fleet of Earth-imaging satellites. They just posted 41% year-over-year revenue growth in Q4 and raised their FY2027 guidance to $415-$440 million.
What About the IPO Itself?
SpaceX is reportedly considering allocating up to 30% of the IPO to retail investors - three times the typical amount. The company is targeting a June 2026 listing. Starlink alone generated over $10 billion in revenue last year with 9.2 million active subscribers.
The Bottom Line
You couldn't invest in SpaceX for the past 20 years. But the investors who recognized that the space economy was bigger than one company - and bought the publicly traded players - have done extremely well.
Rocket Lab is up roughly 184.2% in a year. Planet Labs has been near record highs. And Alphabet holders have been quietly sitting on a SpaceX stake worth over $110 billion.
Try the calculator to see what your investment in any of these stocks would be worth today. Or browse all technology investments.
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