By Beth McKenna
Publication Date: 2026-05-17 19:30:00
Nvidia dominates artificial intelligence (AI) chips and infrastructure on Earth – and it’s poised to do the same for space applications, both from in-space and Earth, in my view.
As such, if you’re looking for a “space stock,” you might consider Nvidia (NVDA 4.39%), as the company is growing like gangbusters, extremely profitable, and lower risk than the pure-play space companies. Most of them are burning cash and will need to spend huge sums on capital expenditures for many years. Granted, Nvidia isn’t a pure-play space stock, but I consider the diversity a strength.
First, why would an investor want to invest in the space economy?
Image source: Nvidia.
AI in space market’s growth projection is rosy
The space economy is booming and is projected to grow strongly for decades. The global space economy will be worth $1.8 trillion by 2035 (inflation-adjusted), up from $630 billion in 2023, according to consulting firm McKinsey & Co. These figures equate to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 9%, which is much faster than the overall global economy is expected to grow.
More specifically, the global AI in space exploration market size was pegged at $6.2 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $110.2 billion by 2035, expanding at a rapid CAGR of 33.4%, according to Precedence Research.
CEO Jensen Huang: “Artificial intelligence in space will have very good, very interesting applications.”
In February, on Nvidia’s earnings call for its fiscal fourth quarter…