The Top 10 Space Investments Of 2026 So Far: VAST, AXIOM And More

Space technology investment is surging into 2026. Confidence is high. The ten largest funding rounds total over $3.7 billion. And it's only April.

Defence and national security contracts are driving much of the momentum, with companies like Stoke Space, Sierra Space and Cesium Astro attracting hundreds of millions on the strength of government partnerships.

Infrastructure remains the dominant investment thesis — from encrypted GPS alternatives and space-based weather platforms to satellite communications and reusable launch vehicles — reflecting a market that is still building the foundational layer needed for commercial space to scale.

The biggest surprise sits at the top of the list: Beijing-based iSpace China claimed the single largest raise at $729 million, confirming the US V China space race is very much happening.  

Meanwhile, three companies have crossed the unicorn threshold — StarCloud, Tomorrow.io and Sierra Space, the latter commanding a confirmed $8 billion valuation. 

Human spaceflight and space station ambition round out the upper tier, with Vast Space and Axiom Space collectively raising $850 million to build the commercial space stations and crew infrastructure that will replace the ISS when it retires later this decade.

The Top 10 In Full

iSpace China — $729M

Sierra Space — $550M (Series C)

Vast Space — $500M (Series A)

Cesium Astro — $470M

Axiom Space — $350M

Stoke Space — $350M

PLD Space — €210M (Series C)

Tomorrow.io — $175M

Xona Space — $170M (Series C)

StarCloud — $170M

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Chapters

(00:00) Starcloud

(00:52) Xona Space

(03:27) Tomorrow IO

(06:01) PLD Space

(08:00) Stoke Space

(10:18) Axiom Space

(12:29) Cesium Astro

(14:50) VAST Space

(19:02) Sierra Space

(21:47) I-Space (Beijing Interstellar Glory Space Technology Ltd.)