Key takeaways
- Top pick: Stoke Space, best for: Satellite operators that need frequent launches.
- Also near the top: Impulse Space, best for: Satellite operators needing delivery to precise or distant orbits; and Varda Space Industries, best for: Pharma companies testing drug formulations in microgravity.
- How it was ranked: 10 startups compared. Each verdict is below.
Best Space Startups: Top 10 Ranked. Stoke Space ranks first, with a Lister Score of 97.0.
Stoke Space leads the space startups globally after a $1 billion raise for fully reusable launch, and
Impulse Space is the leader in moving satellites between orbits. Varda is the most advanced in in-space manufacturing,
Isar Aerospace is Europe's most proven new launcher, and
Astranis is the most established in small geostationary satellites.
Best Space Startups in 2026, compared| RANK | ENTRY | BEST FOR | SCORE | FROM |
|---|
| 1 |  Stoke SpaceStoke Space announced the initial closing of a $1 billion Series E in September 2026. | Satellite operators that need frequent launches | 97.0 | Custom |
|---|
|
| 2 |  Impulse SpaceImpulse Space raised $500 million in a Series D announced in June 2026. | Satellite operators needing delivery to precise or distant orbits | 95.8 | Custom |
|---|
|
| 3 |  Varda Space IndustriesVarda closed a $251 million Series D in September 2026, according to the Los Angeles Times. | Pharma companies testing drug formulations in microgravity | 94.5 | Custom |
|---|
|
| 4 |  True AnomalyTrue Anomaly raised $650 million in its Series D in April 2026. | Defence and government space programmes | 93.3 | Custom |
|---|
|
| 5 |  Isar AerospaceIsar Aerospace says it has raised more than 500 million euros in private capital. | Satellite operators wanting a launch from Europe | 92.0 | Custom |
|---|
|
| 6 |  AstranisAstranis says it has sold more than $1 billion of satellite services. | Telecom operators wanting a dedicated satellite | 90.7 | Custom |
|---|
|
| 7 |  VastVast secured $500 million in March 2026 to speed up production of its Haven space stations. | Space agencies and researchers planning missions to a private station | 89.4 | Custom |
|---|
|
| 8 |  ApexApex announced more than $200 million in new growth capital at a $2.3 billion valuation in June 2026. | Constellation operators who want satellites delivered fast | 88.0 | Custom |
|---|
|
| 9 |  K2 SpaceK2 Space says it builds 80 percent of each satellite in-house. | Operators needing large, high-power satellites | 86.6 | Custom |
|---|
|
| 10 |  Axiom SpaceAxiom has run a series of private astronaut missions to the International Space Station, starting with Axiom Mission 1. | Governments and organisations sending astronauts to orbit | 85.2 | Custom |
|---|
|
|
How to choose
Start from what you need it for. Where each entry fits best:
- Stoke Space (#1): Satellite operators that need frequent launches
- Impulse Space (#2): Satellite operators needing delivery to precise or distant orbits
- Varda Space Industries (#3): Pharma companies testing drug formulations in microgravity
- True Anomaly (#4): Defence and government space programmes
- Isar Aerospace (#5): Satellite operators wanting a launch from Europe
- Astranis (#6): Telecom operators wanting a dedicated satellite
- Vast (#7): Space agencies and researchers planning missions to a private station
- Apex (#8): Constellation operators who want satellites delivered fast
- K2 Space (#9): Operators needing large, high-power satellites
- Axiom Space (#10): Governments and organisations sending astronauts to orbit
Each entry's full verdict is below.
The ranking, in detail
01
Fully reusable Nova rocket
Stoke Space, founded in 2019 and based in Kent, Washington, is developing Nova, a fully and rapidly reusable launch vehicle. In September 2026 it announced the initial close of a $1 billion Series E.
PROS- Reusable upper stage design
- Well funded ahead of first launch
CONS- Has not reached orbit yet
- Crowded launch market
- Best for
- Satellite operators that need frequent launches
- Where it falls short
- It has not reached orbit yet, so it cannot deliver launches now.
- Pick something else if
- you need immediate launch capability.
97.0
02
In-space transport between orbits
Impulse Space, founded in 2021 and based in Redondo Beach, California, builds in-space transport vehicles, including its Mira orbital transfer vehicle, that move payloads between orbits. It raised a $500 million Series D in June 2026.
PROS- Flight-proven orbital transfer vehicle
- Founded by former SpaceX propulsion lead Tom Mueller
CONS- Depends on partner launch schedules
- Price set per mission
- Best for
- Satellite operators needing delivery to precise or distant orbits
- Where it falls short
- You must wait for partner launch schedules to deploy your payload.
- Pick something else if
- you need guaranteed immediate launch slots.
95.8
03
Drug processing in orbit
Varda Space Industries, founded in 2021 and based in El Segundo, California, builds orbital processing capsules that make materials such as pharmaceuticals in microgravity and return them to Earth. It closed a $251 million Series D in September 2026.
PROS- Has flown and recovered capsules
- Clear pharmaceutical use case
CONS- Early commercial stage
- Depends on launch cadence
- Best for
- Pharma companies testing drug formulations in microgravity
- Where it falls short
- Operations depend on launch cadence.
- Pick something else if
- you need guaranteed immediate availability.
94.5
04
Jackal spacecraft for space security
True Anomaly, founded in 2022 and based in Colorado, builds Jackal autonomous spacecraft, software and payloads for space security missions. It raised a $650 million Series D in April 2026.
PROS- Large defence-focused funding
- Builds spacecraft and software together
CONS- Focused on government customers
- Early flight history
- Best for
- Defence and government space programmes
- Where it falls short
- It focuses on government customers and has an early flight history.
- Pick something else if
- you need commercial sector experience or proven flight heritage.
93.3
05
Spectrum small satellite launcher
Isar Aerospace, founded in 2018 and based in Ottobrunn, Germany, builds the Spectrum small launch vehicle. Spectrum reached orbit and deployed payloads on its second flight in September 2026.
PROS- Reached orbit on its second flight
- Launches from Andøya in Norway
CONS- Short flight record
- Launch prices not published
- Best for
- Satellite operators wanting a launch from Europe
- Where it falls short
- Launch prices are not published, so you cannot determine costs upfront.
- Pick something else if
- you need to know launch costs before committing.
92.0
06
Small geostationary satellites for broadband
Astranis, founded in 2015 and based in San Francisco, builds small geostationary satellites for broadband and communications. It says it has five satellites in orbit and more than 10 on contract for customers worldwide.
PROS- Satellites already in service
- Dedicated satellite for each customer
CONS- Geostationary orbit only
- Price set per contract
- Best for
- Telecom operators wanting a dedicated satellite
- Where it falls short
- It operates only in geostationary orbit.
- Pick something else if
- you need other orbital options.
90.7
07
Commercial space stations
Vast, founded in 2021 and based in Long Beach, California, is developing commercial space stations, starting with Haven-1. In March 2026 it secured $500 million, made up of $300 million in Series A equity and $200 million in debt.
PROS- Building toward a commercial station
- Large new funding
CONS- Long path to a permanent station
- Price set per mission
- Best for
- Space agencies and researchers planning missions to a private station
- Where it falls short
- Long path to a permanent station.
- Pick something else if
- you need predictable fixed costs.
89.4
08
Satellite buses built in volume
Apex, founded in 2022 and based in Los Angeles, builds standardised satellite buses for commercial and government constellations. Its Factory One can produce more than 200 satellites a year at peak, the company says.
PROS- Satellites built ahead of demand
- High-rate factory
CONS- Few satellites flown so far
- Price set per order
- Best for
- Constellation operators who want satellites delivered fast
- Where it falls short
- Few satellites flown so far.
- Pick something else if
- you need lower costs for high-volume deployments.
88.0
09
High-power satellite platforms
K2 Space, founded in 2022 and based in Los Angeles, builds high-power satellites, including its Mega Class platform rated at 20 kW. In July 2026 it announced the launch of Gravitas, which it described as one of the highest-powered spacecraft ever built.
PROS- Much higher power than typical constellation satellites
- Most parts built in-house
CONS- Early flight history
- Price set per contract
- Best for
- Operators needing large, high-power satellites
- Where it falls short
- You must negotiate pricing individually for each project.
- Pick something else if
- you need fixed upfront costs.
86.6
10
Private astronaut missions and spacesuits
Axiom Space, founded in 2016 and based in Houston, flies private astronaut missions to the International Space Station, is developing Axiom Station and builds the AxEMU spacesuit.
PROS- Flown several crewed missions
- Spacesuit work for NASA programmes
CONS- Own station still in development
- Very high price per seat
- Best for
- Governments and organisations sending astronauts to orbit
- Where it falls short
- The company charges very high prices per seat for its missions.
- Pick something else if
- you need a lower cost option.
85.2
Put your company on this ranking
Ask us for a quote for one, two or three years. Nothing recurring.
Positions #4 to #10 are available on request. Contact us.
Not on this ranking?Tell us about your company and we will reply by email.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Space Startups?
Stoke Space ranks first on Lister. Stoke Space, founded in 2019 and based in Kent, Washington, is developing Nova, a fully and rapidly reusable launch vehicle. In September 2026 it announced the initial close of a $1 billion Series E.
What are the top 10 Space Startups?
1. Stoke Space; 2. Impulse Space; 3. Varda Space Industries; 4. True Anomaly; 5. Isar Aerospace; 6. Astranis; 7. Vast; 8. Apex; 9. K2 Space; 10. Axiom Space.
Some links on Lister are affiliate links. Rankings are not affected.
Related rankings
