BlackRock launched the iShares Space Technologies UCITS ETF (ticker: STAR) for European investors, Bloomberg reported on June 9. The ETF tracks an index tied to the global space, satellite, and drone ecosystem. It can add newly listed companies within 10 to 30 days of their IPO through an intra-rebalance review process. The launch targets the timing of SpaceX's anticipated public listing, which has proposed raising $75 billion at a valuation near $1.77 trillion. Space-themed ETFs have attracted approximately $8 billion in net inflows since the start of 2026, ranking second among 39 tracked ETF themes for year-to-date flows, according to Bloomberg Intelligence data.
Space ETFs Attract $8 Billion in 2026 Inflows
Bloomberg Intelligence data showed that space-themed ETFs have attracted approximately $8 billion in net inflows since the start of 2026. The category now ranks second among 39 tracked ETF themes for year-to-date flows, overtaking defense ETFs, according to the Bloomberg report.
BlackRock is not the only issuer targeting the theme. ETF Stream reported that both BlackRock and WisdomTree filed space-focused ETFs in Europe ahead of SpaceX's anticipated listing.
S&P Dow Jones Indices recently declined to change its rules to allow faster entry for mega-cap IPOs into the S&P 500, keeping requirements including a 12-month public trading history and profitability standards. Nasdaq has adopted a more flexible approach to including large new listings than S&P Dow Jones Indices.
STAR ETF Adds Newly Public Companies Within 10 to 30 Days
The key feature of STAR is its intra-rebalance review process, which allows the fund to add newly public companies within days rather than waiting for quarterly or semi-annual index reconstitution. A delay of months between an IPO and index inclusion could leave competing funds without the central holding that investors expect from a space-themed product.
SpaceX has proposed raising $75 billion at a valuation near $1.77 trillion, according to its filing. Standard thematic ETFs often compete on how quickly they can offer exposure to companies linked to a trending sector.
FAQ
What is the iShares Space Technologies UCITS ETF (STAR)?
STAR is a BlackRock ETF launched for European investors that tracks an index tied to the global space, satellite, and drone ecosystem. It can add newly listed companies within 10 to 30 days of their IPO through an intra-rebalance review process, Bloomberg reported on June 9.
How much have space-themed ETFs attracted in 2026?
Space-themed ETFs have attracted approximately $8 billion in net inflows since the start of 2026, according to Bloomberg Intelligence data. The category ranks second among 39 tracked ETF themes for year-to-date flows.
