These space stocks are not SpaceX—but they’re blasting off this week in the wake of IPO fever

Space stocks are—forgive the phrase—skyrocketing in response to the SpaceX IPO. In a strong example of “a rising tide lifts all boats,” investor excitement around SpaceX’s record-breaking initial public offering (Nasdaq: SPCX) has brought up the share price of competitors like Virgin Galactic (NYSE: SPCE) and Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB). Elon Musk’s rocket company officially priced shares on Thursday and is expected to list its stock on the Nasdaq today (Friday, June 12). Here’s how the SpaceX IPO—and subsequent 1.77 trillion valuation—has impacted other space stocks. How are space companies’ shares responding to the Space X IPO? As of publication, here’s where things stand: Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB) Closed: up 9.26 at 114.78 YTD as of Thursday’s close: up 64.54 Currently: up about 4 Virgin Galactic (NYSE: SPCE) Closed: up 21.66 at 5.73 Year-to-date (YTD) as of Thursday’s close: up 78.5 Currently: down about 9 Rocket One (Nasdaq: RKTO) Closed: up 11.28 at 1.48 YTD as of Thursday’s close: up 49.49 Currently: up about 14 AST SpaceMobile (Nasdaq: ASTS) Closed: up 11.73 at 97.56 YTD as of Thursday’s close: up 34.32 Currently: up about 2.5 Astera labs (Nasdaq: ALAB) Closed: up 11.07 at 367.47 YTD as of Thursday’s close: up 120.89 Currently: up about 5 What’s happening with the SpaceX IPO? Late Thursday, SpaceX told the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that it would be offering 555.6 million shares. With an opening price of 135 per share, the company is set to raise 75 billion after the markets open Friday morning. We’ll have to wait and see if it can maintain the price per share throughout the day.