ARK Invest CEO and investor Cathie Wood is standing firmly behind Space Exploration Technologies Corp (NASDAQ:SPCX) even after the aerospace giant’s sharp retreat from its post-IPO highs, offering fresh confidence to ETF investors with exposure to Elon Musk‘s flagship space company.
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Speaking to Fox Business, the ARK Invest founder called SpaceX a company that could become “the most important company in global history,” arguing that its opportunity extends far beyond rockets into global telecommunications through Starlink. Her comments come as SpaceX trades nearly 47% below its June peak and ahead of a widely watched share unlock that could add volatility to the stock.
Wood’s conviction has been backed by action. Over the past several weeks, ARK Invest has repeatedly added to its SpaceX position, including purchases worth roughly $54 million last week, another $57 million earlier this week, and approximately $18 million following the latest Starship launch delay, spreading the purchases across multiple ARK ETFs, according to Investor’s Business Daily.
ARK ETFs Are Increasing Their SpaceX Exposure
Rather than trimming positions after the stock’s decline, ARK has used the weakness to accumulate shares.
The purchases have been distributed across several flagship ETFs. Some of ARK’s flagship ETFs include ARK Innovation ETF (BATS:ARKK), ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (BATS:ARKQ), ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (BATS:ARKW), ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (BATS:ARKX).
Among these, ARKX has become one of the most SpaceX-heavy diversified ETFs in the market, with SpaceX accounting for about 8% of assets, making it the fund’s largest holding following ARK’s latest purchases.
SpaceX-Focused ETFs Remain in the Spotlight
Wood’s comments are also likely to renew investor interest in ETFs designed specifically to capture SpaceX’s growth story.
Several recently launched ETFs now provide concentrated exposure to the company, including the ProShares Ultra SpaceX (NYSE:SPCF), Tradr 2X Long SpaceX Daily ETF (BATS:SPCM), Defiance Daily Target 2X Short SPCX ETF (BATS:SPCQ), and Kurv SpaceX Enhanced Income ETF (BATS:XSHP).
Unlike traditional aerospace ETFs, these funds are built around SpaceX and its expanding ecosystem, giving investors a way to participate without owning the stock directly.
The recent correction has pressured these ETFs alongside SpaceX, but the company’s inclusion in the Nasdaq-100 and continued institutional accumulation have kept investor interest elevated. Analysts covering the stock remain broadly constructive, with a Buy consensus rating despite the selloff, according to Benzinga Pro.
Not All Space ETFs Are Built the Same
Wood’s optimism also highlights a growing divide within the space ETF universe.
Traditional aerospace and defense ETFs typically allocate their portfolios toward established contractors such as RTX Corp (NYSE:RTX), Lockheed Martin Corp (NYSE:LMT), and Northrop Grumman Corp (NYSE:NOC), benefiting from government defense spending and commercial aviation.
The newer generation of SpaceX-focused ETFs, however, offers a more concentrated bet on Musk’s expanding businesses, particularly:
- Starlink satellite broadband
- Falcon launch services
- Starship
- Commercial space infrastructure
- Defense and government launch contracts
That concentration means investors gain greater exposure to SpaceX’s upside, but also assume significantly higher volatility.
Share Unlock Could Test Investor Conviction
Despite Wood’s optimism, investors are closely watching the company’s upcoming share unlock.
Roughly 20% of outstanding shares are expected to become eligible for trading following the next earnings report, raising concerns that early investors may choose to realize gains after SpaceX’s extraordinary run since its public debut. The prospect of additional supply has been one of the key factors weighing on the stock in recent weeks.
Still, Wood has repeatedly argued that short-term volatility is part of investing in disruptive innovators. She believes SpaceX’s long-term value lies not only in reducing launch costs through Starship but also in building what could become a global communications network through Starlink, potentially reshaping industries ranging from telecommunications and defense to artificial intelligence and cloud infrastructure.
For ETF investors, Wood’s latest remarks reinforce one of 2026’s biggest thematic trades.
Instead of treating SpaceX solely as another mega-cap technology stock, a growing number of ETF issuers are packaging it as the centerpiece of next-generation portfolios spanning space exploration, satellite communications, AI infrastructure and advanced defense technologies.
Photo: PJ McDonnell on Shutterstock
