Space and defense boom lifted these satellite stocks by 200% in 2025

Wall Street has become increasingly obsessed with the AI ​​boom this year, pouring money into chips, data centers and applications.

But investors looking beyond Silicon Valley have found huge returns elsewhere: space.

Some of the year’s biggest market winners were defense companies that benefited from renewed interest in space exploration and military re-industrialization. President Donald Trump’s military expansion plan includes a $175 billion “Golden Dome” project and efforts to bolster American shipbuilding.

The government is turning to more companies beyond traditional defense names to develop military technology and return astronauts to the moon for the first time in more than 50 years. LockheedMartin And Northrop Grumman. Recently appointed NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman told CNBC last week that Trump’s commitment to exploring the moon is key to unlocking the “orbital economy.”

The space and defense boon has created a number of opportunities for high-profile private companies, including Palmer Luckey’s Anduril and Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which aims to go public next year. SpaceX is the parent company of satellite internet provider Starlink.

Among companies currently on the public market, investors have snapped up satellite names, from legacy providers like EchoStar to newer players like Planet Labs. They are among a handful of satellite stocks that have more than tripled in value this year.

Planet Labs

Planet LabsThe company, headquartered in San Francisco, has seen its stock rise nearly 400% this year due to increased demand for satellite imagery and space analytics. The company, which went public through a special purpose acquisition company in 2021, is currently valued at $6.2 billion.

in it fiscal third quarter profit In its report this month, Planet Labs beat analyst estimates and lifted guidance.

During this period, Planet Labs more than tripled its backlog compared to a year ago. Since the end of the quarter, the company has started Two of the Pelican satellites and 36 earth imaging SuperDove satellites.

Planet Labs signs new government and defense deals in 2025. contracts with NATO and the European Space Agency. The company is also renewed a partnership Won a $13.5 million task order for commercial satellite data with NASA to provide Earth data to the U.S. Navy.

Planet Labs work closely with Google In his Suncatcher project, he focused on artificial intelligence and machine learning in space. The company aims to launch two prototype satellites equipped with Google’s custom AI chips called tensor processing units, or TPUs, by early 2027.

EchoStar

EchoStarFounded by Charlie Ergen in 1980, Dish TV produces network, connection and satellite solutions under the Sling TV and Boost Mobile brands.

Under pressure from regulators to build a 5G network, the company was forced to sell its wireless spectrum rights. EchoStar scored a coup in August 23 billion dollars agreement to sell spectrum licenses AT&Tand the following month sold $17 billion in spectrum rights to SpaceX to power Starlink connectivity.

Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX’s chief operating officer said the deal It will help the company “eliminate mobile dead zones” worldwide and improve coverage for its customers.

cell tower companies Crown Castle And American Tower He sued EchoStar after the spectrum deals, claiming the company was trying to get out of its long-term agreements.

In a call with analysts in November, EchoStar CEO Hamid Akhavan said the transactions would provide the company with “capital runway” to expand its portfolio and business.

“The roadmap is not 100% determined at the moment,” he said. “We will try to make the most of every opportunity.”

EchoStar shares have surged 377% this year, including a 49% increase since the beginning of December, pushing the company’s market value to more than $31 billion. Earlier this month, the company received an upgrade from Morgan Stanley to buy from hold, citing value from recent spectrum deals.

The biggest beneficiary of the stock boom was 72-year-old Ergen, who owns more than 143 million shares in the company, mostly B group. His net worth increased by $12.2 billion this year to $16.6 billion. Bloomberg.

ViaSat

ViaSat Shares are up 315% in 2025 as the company grows and gets more contracts.

One of ViaSat’s most important achievements successful launch the second of the three in November ViaSAT-3 Satellites that will begin serving the United States next year.

The company also landed major government contracts. satellite contract The first launch with the US Space Force is planned for 2028.

On the commercial side, ViaSat has expanded its partnerships with commercial airlines: Etihad AirwaysAeromexico and Riyadh Airline. The company competes directly with SpaceX’s Starlink service. United AirlinesAir France and Qatar Airways.

ViaSat attracted the attention of activist investor Carronade Capital this year and was raised for acquisition last month. JPMorgan Chasehighlighted the potential collapse of commercial and public enterprises.

tithes

tithesThe share of the company that produces autonomous drone technology increased by 251 percent this year.

The Boston-based company says on its website that it has 21 patents and addresses a potential market worth $130 billion.

Income third quarter It rose more than sixfold to $10.1 million, and the company raised its revenue forecast for the year from $25 million to $36 million. CEO Erick Brock cited a “strong demand cycle for our unmanned platforms” as a growth catalyst.

Ondas signed major agreements for the Optimus drone system this year. $14.3 million purchase order from a major defense contractor and more $3 million deal with the United Arab Emirates. The system allows governments, public safety agencies, and emergency services to autonomously collect data in harsh environments.

Backlog increased to $22.2 million in the last quarter, driven by demand for Optimus and Iron Drone products.

Stifel went live with a buy rating this month, calling Ondas a potential leader in the unmanned systems sector.

Astrotronic

Aerospace and defense systems manufacturer Astrotronic It’s up 241% this year.

The company provides charging and lighting solutions used by major commercial aircraft manufacturers and airlines. Boeing’s And Delta. Their products also support the US Army and NASA.

Finally third quarterAstronics said its backlog totaled $646.7 million, while its aerospace segment totaled $572.5 million. This represented a slight decrease in record accumulation. first quarter.

Astronics in October, Buy based in Germany Bühler Motor Aviation. The deal is expected to add $22 million in revenue next year. A month ago, Astronics announced its sales plans $210 million in convertible notes.

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