RKLB, ASTS, LUNR, FLY Rise Premarket: Artemis II Countdown Begins While SpaceX IPO Fever Spreads Across Space Stocks

• Rocket Lab, Intuitive Machines and AST SpaceMobile rose premarket on Wednesday ahead of NASA’s first crewed deep-space mission since 1972.
• Artemis II is targeting liftoff no earlier than 6.24 p.m. ET from Kennedy Space Center.
• Anticipation of a potential $75 billion SpaceX IPO and the launch of the NASA ETF added to momentum across space stocks.

Space stocks rose in premarket trading on Wednesday as NASA’s Artemis II mission moved closer to launch and anticipation around SpaceX’s expected blockbuster IPO continued to support sentiment across the sector.

Shares of Rocket Lab (RKLB) and Intuitive Machines (LUNR) and SpaceMobile (ASTS) all gained 2% each, while Firefly Aerospace (FLY) rose 3% in premarket trading.

In the latest quarter, RKLB fell about 8%, marking its worst quarter in a year, while ASTS and LUNR each rose 14%, extending their fifth and second straight quarterly gains, respectively. FLY gained about 27% during the period.

Final Countdown Underway As Artemis II Nears Launch

Investor focus was at the Kennedy Space Center as operations moved deeper into final launch preparations for Artemis II, with liftoff targeted no earlier than 6.24 p.m. ET on Wednesday. The mission will send four astronauts on a roughly 10-day journey around the Moon, marking NASA’s first crewed deep-space flight since 1972.

Engineers completed health checks on the rocket’s RS-25 engines, charged Orion’s flight batteries, and prepared core-stage systems ahead of fueling and activation of the automated ground launch sequencer. Crews also conducted pressure-suit leak checks and cleared nonessential personnel from Launch Complex 39B as countdown operations progressed.

Weather conditions remain favorable for now, with officials estimating an 80% chance of acceptable launch conditions, though cloud cover and winds are still being monitored.

Artemis II Supports NASA’s Moon-Return Plans

Artemis II represents the first crewed mission under NASA’s Artemis program and a key systems-validation flight ahead of future lunar landing missions planned later this decade. If successful, the mission is expected to help clear the path for astronauts to return to the Moon for the first time since the Apollo era.

While Artemis II itself relies on NASA’s government-developed Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft, the broader Artemis architecture depends on commercial launch and lunar-transport capabilities led by SpaceX and Blue Origin.

NASA selected SpaceX’s Starship system as a key lunar lander for future Artemis missions, with additional landing support roles expected from Blue Origin.

SpaceX IPO Buzz Add To Sector Tailwinds

Meanwhile, expectations around a possible SpaceX public listing, which could raise as much as $75 billion at a valuation above $1.75 trillion, have continued to lift sentiment across space stocks.

Most of SpaceX’s projected $20 billion in 2026 revenue is expected to come from its Starlink satellite network and launch operations. The IPO momentum has also helped spur new investment vehicles focused on space stocks, including the newly launched Tema Space Innovators ETF (NASA), which provides exposure to companies across satellite connectivity, launch infrastructure, defense space systems and early-stage commercial exploration platforms.

How Do Retail Traders Feel About RBLK, ASTS, LUNR And FLY?

On Stocktwits, retail sentiment toward RKLB was 'bullish' amid 'high' message volume, while sentiment on ASTS and FLY was 'neutral' with 'normal' and 'low' message volume, respectively. Sentiment on LUNR remained 'bearish' amid 'normal' message volume.

Over the past year, RKLB and ASTS rose about 260% and 264%, respectively, while LUNR gained roughly 150% and FLY declined around 53%.

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