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 Space X IPO. In a strong example of “a rising tide lifts all boats,” investor excitement around Space X’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 Space X 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.