Space stocks soared yesterday in the wake of President Trump’s declaration that America will return to expansionism and exploration.

More specifically, he said “We will pursue our manifest destiny into the stars, launching American astronauts to plant the stars and stripes on the planet Mars."

This single line from his inauguration speech sent space stocks into overdrive, as investors scrambled to position themselves for what could be a new space race – one driven as much by Wall Street as by NASA.

• Intuitive Machines Inc. (LUNR), which made history with its commercial moon lander, closed higher 24%.

• Rocket Lab USA Inc. (RKLB), a dominant force in satellite launches, surged 30%.

• AST SpaceMobile Inc. (ASTS), specializing in space-based broadband, climbed 11%.

• Redwire Corp. (RDW), a manufacturer of cutting-edge space technology, soared over 50%.

• And Planet Labs PBC (PL), which provides high-resolution Earth imagery, closed higher 22%.

These moves signal a wave of investor enthusiasm, but they also highlight the speculative nature of space stocks.

This industry demands enormous capital, operates on lengthy development timelines, and often relies on government contracts.

While excitement can drive short-term rallies, real profits could take years – or even decades – to materialize.

Perhaps no one is more thrilled about Trump’s vision than Elon Musk.

The SpaceX CEO, who has long championed Mars colonization, was spotted pumping his fists at the inauguration after Trump’s remarks.

As investors, we need to take notice.

Funds like Destiny Tech100 Inc. (DXYZ), which boasts SpaceX as its largest holding, and the Procure Space ETF (UFO) are attracting renewed interest.

The idea that space could become a major investment theme – on par with AI – no longer feels far-fetched.

If Trump follows through on his promises, we could be witnessing the birth of a trillion-dollar industry.

However, as with any gold rush, there will be winners and losers.

Space stocks are notoriously volatile, and many of these companies are still unprofitable, burning through cash in the hopes of future breakthroughs.

While Trump’s enthusiasm is a tailwind, government support alone won’t guarantee success.

Investors should tread carefully, treating space stocks as high-risk, high-reward plays rather than core portfolio holdings.

I’ve previously talked about Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (RKLB) here in The Million Mission, and judging by the AskDavis@paradigmpressgroup.com inbox, I know many readers now own the stock.

The company earned the nickname “Mini SpaceX” due to the fact it’s a space and aerospace company focused on providing reliable and cost-effective launch services, satellite manufacturing, and mission solutions for both commercial and government customers – nearly identical to SpaceX’s business.

Rocket Lab closed 30% higher just yesterday.

I still very much like the stock as a long-term investment. I do think that a quick 70% gain since I first talked about it is a great opportunity to take profits off the table, however.

Remember, while excitement can drive short-term rallies, real profits could take years – or even decades – to materialize.

We’ll see lower levels in RKLB once the buzz wears off. Then I recommend you buy back in for a long-term play.

For now, let’s take the easy money off the table. Because while the stars for the space industry may be aligning, the path to riches will be anything but smooth.