Space and satellite stocks are back in the spotlight on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, as investors juggle a busy mix of government launch schedules, fresh earnings, analyst price targets, and connectivity breakthroughs—all while the broader U.S. market digests shifting expectations for interest rates and policy headlines.
In today’s tape, the “space” trade isn’t one story—it’s several. Launch providers are increasingly judged on responsiveness (not just cadence). Satellite operators are being re-rated on capacity and spectrum (not just subscriber growth). And data-from-space names are being graded on contract timing and backlog conversion, not just futuristic narratives.
Below is a full, news-driven look at the major U.S.-listed space and satellite names moving with the headlines today—plus what forecasts and analyst themes are shaping expectations into 2026.
Market backdrop: why space stocks are reacting so sharply today
Space and satellite stocks tend to amplify whatever the market is feeling—because many of the best-known tickers in the group are high-beta, execution-heavy, and sensitive to funding conditions.
By midday Wednesday, Reuters market data showed major U.S. indexes trading lower, with the Nasdaq under the most pressure—a common headwind for speculative and growth-tilted space names. [1]
At the same time, rate expectations remain a key swing factor. Fed Governor Christopher Waller said the Fed’s policy stance is still restrictive and suggested there may be room to cut rates if needed—comments that can matter disproportionately for long-duration growth stocks, including many space-focused companies. [2]
And for the space-adjacent defense primes (many of which are major “space” contractors), a policy headline also weighed on sentiment: Reuters reported the Trump administration was considering an executive order that could pressure defense firms to rein in shareholder payouts amid cost overruns—news that hit big contractors’ shares. [3]
Rocket Lab (RKLB): “responsive launch” narrative gets a real-time test
Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) is in focus today after the company scheduled its next Electron mission—and pulled the timeline forward by months, a key proof point for “responsive space” demand from government customers. [4]
What’s happening
Rocket Lab said its Electron mission “Don’t Be Such A Square” will launch the STP‑S30 mission for the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command from Launch Complex 2 at Wallops Island, Virginia, with a window opening December 18 at 05:00 UTC (12:00 a.m. ET). [5]
The payload: the first four DiskSats, developed by The Aerospace Corporation and funded through NASA’s Small Spacecraft & Distributed Systems program, with testing aimed at maneuverability, deployment mechanics, and orbit-changing capability using electric propulsion—all tied to more flexible “on-demand” operations. [6]
Rocket Lab also said the mission was accelerated from an initial target of April 2026 to December 2025, underscoring the “schedule agility” that government buyers increasingly prize. [7]
How the stock is trading (context from today’s coverage)
Benzinga reported RKLB shares were higher on Wednesday after the announcement, highlighting the schedule move-up as a signal of Rocket Lab’s growing role in responsive government space operations. [8]
Why it matters for space investors: In a sector often dominated by long development cycles, “time-to-orbit” is becoming a differentiator. Demonstrating an ability to move missions forward isn’t just operational bragging rights—it can influence how investors underwrite government demand, future contract wins, and long-term launch utilization.
Spire Global (SPIR): earnings, guidance, and a timing-driven debate about 2026
If Rocket Lab’s story today is about execution speed, Spire Global (NYSE: SPIR) is about revenue timing, backlog conversion, and investor patience.
The fresh news: Q3 2025 results (released this morning)
Spire reported third-quarter 2025 revenue of $12.7 million, down year over year primarily because it sold its maritime business in April 2025 (which contributed significant revenue in 2024). [9]
Spire said revenue also came in lower than expected due to revenue recognition timing and uncertainty around renewal of an Earth observation data contract; importantly, it added that revenue impacted by timing remains fully contracted and is expected to be recognized in 2026 as milestones are delivered. [10]
On profitability and cash:
- Operating loss: $21.1 million
- Net loss: $19.7 million
- Adjusted EBITDA: negative $11.8 million
- Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities: $96.8 million (and management emphasized a debt-free balance sheet going into 2026) [11]
Spire also pointed to remaining performance obligations of more than $200 million, with about $70 million expected to be recognized as revenue in 2026. [12]
Contract and demand signals (the bullish counterweight)
Spire highlighted:
- An $11.2 million NOAA award for GNSS radio occultation data
- A Deloitte selection to build eight additional satellites for expanded on-orbit cyber and data operations
- Additional contract activity including NOAA weather data and an EUMETSAT renewal [13]
It also stated it sees a strong demand environment for space-based insights tied to European and NATO budgets and faster procurement timelines. [14]
The forward forecast: Q4 and FY 2025 guidance
Spire’s guidance table showed:
- Q4 2025 revenue: $14.8M–$16.8M
- FY 2025 revenue: $70.5M–$72.5M
- Q4 non-GAAP loss per share: $(0.47)–$(0.44) [15]
Spire added that, given revenue movement out of 2025, it now expects in excess of 30% revenue growth in 2026 for the business remaining after the maritime divestiture, and it is aiming to become adjusted EBITDA and operating cash flow break-even to positive by no later than Q4 2026. [16]
How investors reacted
GuruFocus reported SPIR shares dropped sharply after the results and forward guidance disappointed market expectations. [17]
Investor takeaway: For Spire, the 2026 narrative hinges on whether “timing shift” really is timing—and whether contract backlog turns into recognized revenue on schedule. In the space data business, investors increasingly want proof that commercial and government wins convert into predictable financial outputs.
Viasat (VSAT): analyst keeps Buy rating as Viasat‑3 capacity expansion approaches
Viasat (NASDAQ: VSAT) is a core “satellite connectivity” name on U.S. markets, and it’s getting fresh attention today after an analyst reaffirmed a bullish stance tied to the next phase of its Viasat‑3 satellite rollout.
Today’s rating and forecast
Investing.com reported that Needham maintained its Buy rating and $45 price target on Viasat, citing expectations that Viasat‑3 F2 and F3 are set to enter service by mid‑2026—a change the firm expects will triple Viasat’s current global capacity. [18]
Needham also projected a return to year-over-year growth in fiscal 2027 for Viasat’s Communications Services segment, driven by Aviation and Maritime, while acknowledging “heavy competitive pressures.” [19]
Importantly for the profitability debate, the same report noted Viasat has not been profitable over the last twelve months (per the cited dataset), while analysts forecast profitability this fiscal year with an EPS estimate. [20]
Catalysts beyond satellites: a potential restructuring angle
Needham’s note also flagged Viasat’s strategic review evaluating a potential separation of government and commercial businesses as a near- and mid-term catalyst. [21]
Why this matters today: Satellite connectivity stocks can move not only on launch and coverage milestones, but also on the market’s belief that capital intensity is peaking and that a clearer corporate structure could unlock a cleaner valuation framework.
Planet Labs (PL): “Moderate Buy” consensus, revenue beat, and the profitability question
For investors looking at “data from space” rather than bandwidth from space, Planet Labs (NYSE: PL) is a key name—and today’s coverage centers on Wall Street’s positioning after the company’s latest results.
MarketBeat reported that Planet Labs carries an average brokerage recommendation of “Moderate Buy,” with an average 12‑month price target of $14.74 across the analysts it cited. [22]
The same report said Planet missed EPS expectations (as listed) but posted revenue of $81.25 million, beating estimates and rising 32.6% year over year, while remaining unprofitable based on the margins it referenced. [23]
It also pointed to insider selling activity (as reported via filings), noting a sale by an insider and summarizing insider/institutional ownership levels. [24]
Investor takeaway: Planet’s setup remains familiar: strong top-line growth and growing relevance for commercial and government users—but the stock tends to trade on whether the company can convert scale into durable margin improvement.
Iridium (IRDM): dividend, board appointment, and a valuation reset narrative
Iridium Communications (NASDAQ: IRDM) sits in a different lane than the high-growth launch and EO names: it’s often viewed as a more mature satellite communications provider, and today’s analysis spotlighted both capital returns and governance.
Simply Wall St highlighted two developments: a $0.15 quarterly dividend and the appointment of Louis Alterman to Iridium’s board, framing them as new talking points for investors as the stock has struggled over the past year. [25]
The same analysis also discussed valuation, stating a “narrative fair value” of $29.75 versus a last close of $16.87, characterizing the stock as materially undervalued under its assumptions, while also flagging risks such as slowing IoT momentum and spectrum competition. [26]
Why it matters for the sector: Not all “space stocks” are priced like moonshots. When income features like dividends enter the conversation, the investor base can shift—and that can reduce volatility over time (though execution and competitive risks still matter).
Globalstar (GSAT): private 5G + spectrum story gets a real-world validation moment
Globalstar (NASDAQ: GSAT) is being watched closely as the satellite sector’s “spectrum optionality” trade remains alive—and as the company pushes into hybrid models that blend terrestrial and satellite connectivity.
Today’s tech headline: Skydio trial
SpaceWar.com reported that Globalstar and drone maker Skydio completed a technology trial demonstrating Skydio X10 drone operations over Globalstar’s licensed Band n53 spectrum and its XCOM RAN private 5G platform, positioning it as an alternative to Wi‑Fi and public cellular for command, control, and video links in demanding environments. [27]
The report included executive commentary emphasizing faster integration using an existing module and the relevance of deterministic uplink performance for public safety and autonomous drone use cases. [28]
The valuation debate (and why GSAT can be polarizing)
Simply Wall St’s analysis described Globalstar as modestly undervalued under one set of assumptions (citing a narrative fair value of $67.50 vs. a $63.70 last close), while also noting a much more conservative discounted cash flow approach that suggested a far lower fair value estimate—highlighting how wide the valuation range can be depending on growth and margin assumptions. [29]
Investor takeaway: GSAT remains a “show-me” story. Real-world demos matter because they help investors answer the central question: can spectrum and private 5G translate into scalable enterprise revenue, or does the market get ahead of fundamentals?
The space stock “watchlist” theme: what traders are clustering around
Beyond company-specific headlines, MarketBeat’s space stock screen flagged Rocket Lab (RKLB), Boeing (BA), GE Aerospace (GE), AST SpaceMobile (ASTS), and RTX (RTX) as notable names based on recent trading activity—an important reminder that “space stocks” often blend pure-play space companies with large-cap aerospace/defense exposure. [30]
That mix is one reason the group can look internally inconsistent on days like today: a small-cap launch provider can rally on mission news while a defense prime can slide on policy headlines—and both still get lumped into “space.”
What to watch next: near-term catalysts that can move space & satellite stocks
Here are the most time-sensitive items investors are tracking after today’s news flow:
- Rocket Lab (RKLB): the STP‑S30 / “Don’t Be Such A Square” launch window opening Dec. 18 from Wallops Island—any schedule change, webcast updates, or mission results can move the stock quickly. [31]
- Spire (SPIR): follow-through on the “timing shift” narrative—investors will be focused on how revenue recognition and contract renewals translate into 2026 execution, after today’s guidance reset. [32]
- Viasat (VSAT): the countdown to Viasat‑3 F2/F3 entry into service by mid‑2026, plus any updates tied to the strategic review and corporate structure. [33]
- Planet Labs (PL): progress toward narrowing losses while maintaining strong top-line growth, as analysts keep a “Moderate Buy” posture with a defined price-target framework. [34]
- Globalstar (GSAT): additional pilots, customer announcements, or contract structures that show Band n53 and XCOM RAN can scale beyond trials. [35]
Bottom line for Dec. 17, 2025
Today’s space and satellite stock action is being driven by hard catalysts—a launch timeline accelerated by months, a guidance reset, fresh analyst conviction on satellite capacity expansion, and real-world demonstrations of next-gen connectivity.
But the bigger theme remains: the market is rewarding space companies that can show repeatable execution and penalizing those where the timeline to cash flow feels uncertain—especially when broader market conditions turn even slightly risk-off. [36]
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
References
1. www.reuters.com, 2. www.reuters.com, 3. www.reuters.com, 4. www.globenewswire.com, 5. www.globenewswire.com, 6. www.globenewswire.com, 7. www.globenewswire.com, 8. www.benzinga.com, 9. ir.spire.com, 10. ir.spire.com, 11. ir.spire.com, 12. ir.spire.com, 13. ir.spire.com, 14. ir.spire.com, 15. ir.spire.com, 16. ir.spire.com, 17. www.gurufocus.com, 18. m.uk.investing.com, 19. m.uk.investing.com, 20. m.uk.investing.com, 21. m.uk.investing.com, 22. www.marketbeat.com, 23. www.marketbeat.com, 24. www.marketbeat.com, 25. simplywall.st, 26. simplywall.st, 27. www.spacewar.com, 28. www.spacewar.com, 29. simplywall.st, 30. www.marketbeat.com, 31. www.globenewswire.com, 32. ir.spire.com, 33. m.uk.investing.com, 34. www.marketbeat.com, 35. www.spacewar.com, 36. www.reuters.com
