ZUG (June 9, 2026) – STOXX Ltd., part of the ISS STOXX group of companies, today announced the expansion of its collaboration with BlackRock following the launch of the iShares Space Technologies UCITS ETF (STAR), which tracks the STOXX® Global Space Satellites and Drones index. The launch comes amid growing demand for global connectivity, navigation, Earth observation, and AI-powered analytics. According to McKinsey[1], space technologies are becoming essential infrastructure for industries ranging from transportation and agriculture to climate monitoring and digital services.
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McKinsey estimates that the global space economy will reach USD 1.8 trillion by 2035, up from USD 630 billion in 2023. This includes both backbone applications (satellites, launchers, GPS, broadcast) and reach applications (industries using satellite-based capabilities). Five industries expected to drive over 60% of space-economy growth by 2035 are supply chain & transportation, food & agriculture, government & defense, retail & consumer services and digital industries[2].
The STOXX® Global Space Satellites and Drones index captures companies operating across Space, Drone, and Satellite activities, including those involved in the Artemis-era space ecosystem[3]. FactSet Revere (RBICS) Revenue and Supply Chain Relationships datasets provide detailed insights into the revenue sources and supply-chain relationships of the companies, helping this index to select companies with meaningful involvement in the Space, Satellites and Drone theme and within the Artemis ecosystem.
“Space is a fast-evolving, cutting-edge investment theme, and we are delighted to collaborate with BlackRock. Leveraging STOXX’s established, leading expertise in thematic indexing, the STOXX Global Space Satellites and Drones index provides investors with an innovative way to access this dynamic opportunity.”
– Axel Lomholt, General Manager at STOXX
“As launch costs fall and satellite adoption rises, the space economy is becoming an increasingly important long-term investment theme. STAR captures the full space value chain, spanning rockets, satellites and autonomous technologies, with each layer supporting the next. STAR’s fast-track access and thematic purity create a differentiated way to participate in this expanding opportunity set.”
– Omar Moufti, thematics and sectors product strategist at BlackRock
[1] Space: The $1.8 trillion opportunity for global economic growth | McKinsey
[3] The Artemis-era space ecosystem refers to the broad, interconnected network of technologies, organizations, infrastructure, and economic activity emerging around NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustained human presence on and around the Moon and use it as a stepping stone to Mars.
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