3 Space Stocks to Buy in October

The excitement around Space Exploration Technologies has officially died down. The stock is now trading in a narrow band between $140 and $160, and volume is equalizing.

Investors are now looking at other space stocks to buy this October. Three to consider now are Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB), Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ: LUNR), and Karman Holdings (NYSE: KRMN).

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Rocket Lab offers exposure across the entire launch economy

Rocket Lab is a popular space stock because it's one of the few publicly traded companies that offer real, end-to-end exposure to the launch economy. First, it has the small-lift Electron and the suborbital HASTE, with the medium-lift Neutron coming as early as the fourth quarter of 2026.

When it comes to infrastructure, its product segment builds satellites, solar panels, reaction wheels, and other space-vehicle components. In fact, this is where the company has seen the most recent success. Product revenue made up about 78% of its third-quarter 2026 revenue.

The company also inked deals with government agencies and commercial satellite operators, and its backlog now stands at $2.36 billion. That mix of scale and diversification makes it a solid starting point, but it's not the only company benefiting from the same shift toward space infrastructure.

Intuitive Machines diversifies revenue beyond lunar landers

Intuitive Machines, on the other hand, took a different route. When it first went public, the company focused on lunar landers. Today, it describes itself as a space technology, infrastructure, and services company, which has "diversified revenue sources" written all over it.

In fact, the company posted impressive revenue growth, with second-quarter 2026 revenue reaching $206.2 million, up 310% from the previous year.

The more important story, however, is where that revenue is coming from. The company's January acquisition of Lanteris Space Systems significantly expanded its business beyond lunar landers, adding spacecraft manufacturing and national security programs.

That's already showing up in the numbers. In the second quarter of 2026, Lanteris contributed $166.7 million in revenue, representing 81% of total quarterly revenue. Though again, the company is still unprofitable.

By the looks of it, it's a similar story to Rocket Lab, which leads to the same conclusion: Space products and infrastructure are where the money is. In fact, the next company on the list reinforces that point.

Karman Holdings brings profitability to the space supply chain

Karman Holdings doesn't build its own rockets, landers, or other space vehicles. Instead, it's an aerospace and defense company that manufactures critical components and structures used in rockets, missiles, and other space and defense systems -- everything from nose cones to rocket motor components to the interstage sections that connect the stages of a launch vehicle.

Its products fall into three segments, according to its own company profile: payload protection and deployment systems, aerodynamic interstage systems, and propulsion systems.

That focus on components rather than complete vehicles creates a significant gap between Karman's financials and its two peers. While Rocket Lab and Intuitive Machines are racing toward profitability, Karman Holdings has been profitable since 2023. In the second quarter, its net income grew about 106% to $14 million.

However, the stock trades at a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 127, which is quite expensive by most measures.

Still, with a record $1.3 billion backlog and rising demand for missiles and launch vehicles, Karman looks well positioned to grow alongside the broader space sector. For investors deciding among the three, the right fit really comes down to risk tolerance.

Which space stock fits your portfolio?

Karman Holdings is the safest of the group, already profitable and backed by that record backlog, though its rich valuation means paying up for that stability.

Rocket Lab sits in the middle, offering broad, diversified exposure to launches, satellite components, and infrastructure while it works toward profitability.

Intuitive Machines is the highest-risk, highest-reward pick of the three, still losing money but growing revenue faster than either peer as its Lanteris acquisition reshapes the business.

Whichever combination investors choose, all three look like reasonable additions to a space-focused portfolio this October.

Rick Orford has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Intuitive Machines, Karman, and Rocket Lab. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.