Wall Street grew increasingly obsessed with the artificial intelligence boom this year, pouring money into chips, data centers and applications.

But investors looking beyond Silicon Valley found outsized returns in another location: space.

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

In looking to upgrade military tech and return astronauts to the moon for the first time in more than 50 years, the government is leaning on more companies outside of traditional defense names such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. Recently appointed NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman told CNBC last week that Trump’s recommitment to exploring the moon is key to unlocking the “orbital economy.”

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

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

Planet Labs

Planet Labs, based in San Francisco, has seen its stock surge almost 400% this year due to booming demand for satellite imagery and space analytics. The company, which went public in 2021 through a special purpose acquisition company, is now valued at $6.2 billion.

In its fiscal third-quarter earnings report this month, Planet Labs topped analyst estimates and lifted its guidance.

During the period, Planet Labs more than tripled its backlog from a year ago. The company said that since the end of the quarter, it launched two of its Pelican satellites and 36 earth imaging SuperDove satellites.

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

Planet Labs is working closely with Google on its Suncatcher project focused on AI and machine learning in space. The company is aiming to launch two prototype satellites equipped with Google’s custom AI chips called tensor processing units, or TPUs, by early 2027.

EchoStar

EchoStar, founded in 1980 by Charlie Ergen, creates networking, connectivity and satellite solutions under its Dish TV, Sling TV and Boost Mobile brands.

Under pressure from regulators to build out a 5G network, the company was forced to sell wireless spectrum rights. In August, EchoStar struck a $23 billion deal to sell spectrum licenses to AT&T, and the following month sold $17 billion in spectrum rights to SpaceX to boost Starlink connectivity.

Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX’s operating chief, said the deal would help the company “end mobile dead zones” globally and improve coverage for its customers.

Cell tower companies Crown Castle and American Tower sued EchoStar following the spectrum deals, alleging the company is trying to exit its long-term agreements.

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

“The roadmap is not 100% laid out at the moment,” he said. “We’ll try to take advantage of every opportunity in the best way.”

EchoStar shares have soared 377% this year, including a 49% rally since the start of December, sending the company’s market capitalization past $31 billion. Earlier this month, the company got an upgrade from Morgan Stanley to buy from hold, with the firm citing value from the recent spectrum deals.

The biggest beneficiary of the stock pop has been the 72-year-old Ergen, who owns more than 143 million shares, mostly Class B, in the company. His net worth has jumped by $12.2 billion this year to $16.6 billion, according to Bloomberg.

ViaSat

ViaSat shares have jumped 315% in 2025, as the company has expanded and scooped up more contracts.

One of ViaSat’s most significant achievements was the successful launch in November of its second of three ViaSAT-3 satellites, which will start servicing the Americas next year.

The company has also landed major government deals, including a satellite contract with the U.S. Space Force, with a first launch planned for 2028.

On the commercial side, ViaSat expanded partnerships with commercial airlines, including Etihad Airways, Aeromexico and Riyadh Air. The company competes directly with SpaceX’s Starlink service, which is used by United Airlines, Air France and Qatar Airways.

ViaSat drew attention this year from activist investor Carronade Capital and was upgraded to buy last month by JPMorgan Chase, which highlighted the potential breakup of its commercial and government businesses.

Ondas

Ondas, which makes autonomous drone technology, skyrocketed 251% this year.

The Boston-Based company says on its website that it owns 21 patents and is addressing a potential $130 billion market.

Revenue in the third quarter jumped more more than sixfold to $10.1 million, and the company upped revenue guidance for the year to $36 million from $25 million. CEO Erick Brock cited “a powerful demand cycle for our unmanned platforms” as a growth catalyst.

Ondas inked major deals this year for its Optimus drone system, including a $14.3 million purchase order from a major defense contractor and a more than $3 million deal with the United Arab Emirates. The system allows governments, public safety entities and emergency services to autonomously collect data in tough environments.

Backlog in the latest quarter rose to $22.2 million driven by demand for its Optimus and Iron Drone products.

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

Astronics

Aerospace and defense systems maker Astronics climbed 241% this year.

The company provides charging and lighting solutions used by major commercial aircraft makers and airlines such as Boeing and Delta. Its products also support the U.S. Army and NASA.

At the end of the third-quarter, Astronics said its backlog totaled $646.7 million, with the aerospace segment accounting for $572.5 million. That represented a slight decline from a record backlog in the first quarter.

In October, Astronics announced plans to buy Germany-based Bühler Motor Aviation. The deal is projected to add $22 million to revenue next year. A month prior, Astronics announced plans to sell $210 million in convertible notes.

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