Betashares debuts Australia's first space ETF

Betashares has launched Australia's first space industry ETF, expected to list on the ASX on May 12 with a ticker code of RCKT.

The ETF will expose investors to a portfolio of 30 global companies operating in the space value chain, including satellite communications, connectivity and data services, rocket launch, and space infrastructure and manufacturing.

Betashares expects to include companies such as Rocket Lab, AST SpaceMobile, EchoStar, Planet Labs and Firefly Aerospace. It said it will also target fast entry of major initial public offerings (IPOs) in the index, including the upcoming listing of SpaceX.

Betashares chief executive Alex Vynokur said the fund will offer investors a new way to access one of the most dynamic and fast-evolving areas of the global economy.

"Once led primarily by government agencies, the space industry is increasingly being shaped by commercial companies launching rockets, building satellite networks and delivering critical data from orbit," Vynokur said.

"As falling launch costs expand what is commercially possible, and anticipated IPOs such as SpaceX move closer, RCKT is designed to capture the opportunity set emerging across the global space industry."

Betashares said RCKT is designed to complement core exposures as a thematic allocation within a diversified portfolio.

Globally, space-related ETFs manage about $4.45 billion in funds under management and have attracted roughly $2.1 billion in flows since the start of the year.

Global X recently also said it is on track to launch its space technology ETF in Australia this year.

"We are constructive on the space economy, a view shared by many of our domestic and global peers and see it as a compelling long-term thematic opportunity," Global X chief executive Alex Zaika said.

Global X's Space Tech ETF has been listed on Nasdaq as ORBX since April 14 and seeks to invest in companies positioned to benefit from the commercialisation of the global space economy.

ORBX's portfolio includes names like Rocket Lab, Planet Labs, AST SpaceMobile, Firefly Aerospace and Iridium Communications.