U.S. space-related stocks surged sharply on Monday, extending strong momentum from the previous week as renewed investor enthusiasm swept through the sector.

Shares of rocket manufacturer Firefly Aerospace, which made its public market debut in August, climbed 16 percent. Intuitive Machines also saw a significant rise, with its stock gaining roughly 12 percent during the session.

Rocket Lab posted another major advance, jumping 10 percent on Monday. The move followed a nearly 18 percent surge on Friday after the company announced an $816 million satellite contract with the U.S. Space Development Agency, further strengthening confidence in its long-term growth prospects.

The recent rally across space stocks has been fueled by multiple developments. Among them is growing speculation that Elon Musk’s SpaceX is preparing for an initial public offering as early as next year, a move that could reshape investor expectations for the entire commercial space industry. At the same time, broader government attention toward space exploration and defense has added to the sector’s appeal.

Market optimism was further boosted last week when President Donald Trump signed a “space superiority” executive order. The directive emphasizes U.S. leadership beyond Earth and outlines plans to establish a permanent American presence on the moon, signaling a long-term commitment to space expansion.

Investors have also gained clearer insight into the future direction of NASA following months of uncertainty after Trump’s election victory. The agency had faced leadership questions amid political shifts and internal changes.

Last week, the U.S. Senate officially confirmed Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator, more than a year after he was initially nominated. Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur with close ties to the private space industry, returned to the role after a turbulent nomination process.

Earlier this year, Trump withdrew Isaacman’s nomination following a public dispute with Elon Musk, a longtime associate of Isaacman. However, in November, the president reversed course and renominated him, clearing the path for final confirmation.

During the interim period, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was appointed to oversee NASA on a temporary basis, helping maintain continuity at the agency while leadership decisions were finalized.

Together, these political, commercial, and strategic developments have created a wave of optimism around the U.S. space sector, pushing stocks higher as investors bet on accelerated growth and sustained government support.