1 Stock To Buy For The Trillion-Dollar Space Economy (Hint: It's Not SpaceX)
Key Points
Intuitive Machines has a first-mover advantage in the lunar landing market.
It looks more reasonably valued than SpaceX.
- 10 stocks we like better than Intuitive Machines ›
The global space economy could expand from $626 billion in 2025 to $1.8 trillion by 2035, according to McKinsey's latest estimates. Many investors might think SpaceX (NASDAQ: SPCX), which just went public, is the top play on that secular trend.
However, SpaceX's unprofitable space and AI businesses will wipe out Starlink's profits for the foreseeable future, and it still trades at more than 100 times last year's sales. So instead of chasing SpaceX right now, it might be smarter to buy Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ: LUNR).
Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »
Image source: Getty Images.
Why is Intuitive Machines worth buying?
Intuitive Machines develops lunar landers and exploration vehicles for NASA. It's sent two landers (IM-1 in 2024 and IM-2 in 2025) to the moon so far. IM-1 marked NASA's first successful moon landing since 1972, and it helped the company secure additional lunar logistics and near-space network services (NSNS) contracts from NASA.
From 2025 to 2028, analysts expect Intuitive's revenue to surge from $210 million to $1.39 billion, with profitability in the final year. Its upcoming lunar missions and its expansion into a more diversified space services provider should drive that growth.
However, Intuitive trades at just 9 times its 2025 sales and 3 times its projected 2026 sales. That lower valuation makes it a more attractive investment in this frothy market.
Should you buy stock in Intuitive Machines right now?
Before you buy stock in Intuitive Machines, consider this:
The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Intuitive Machines wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.
Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $398,052!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,181,688!*
Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 892% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 205% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.
See the 10 stocks »
*Stock Advisor returns as of June 29, 2026.
Leo Sun has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Intuitive Machines. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Recommended Articles
