BlackRock Launches iShares STAR ETF for European Space Technology Stocks

Overview

• BlackRock launched the iShares Space Technologies UCITS ETF, ticker STAR, on June 9, 2026, and listed it across the UK and 12 European markets with a 0.50% annual fee.
• STAR tracks the STOXX Global Space Satellites and Drones Index, which uses FactSet RBICS data to require that eligible companies derive at least 25% of revenue from space, satellite, or drone activities.
• The index permits newly public companies to join within 10 to 30 days of their IPO, a faster entry window than the typical quarterly rebalance used by most index funds.
• At launch the fund announced holdings including Rocket Lab, AST SpaceMobile, Planet Labs, Viasat, Intuitive Machines, Redwire, Globalstar, EchoStar, Iridium Communications, and Firefly Aerospace, providing coverage across launch, satellites, drones, and related supply chains.
• Investor interest in the theme has surged this year with roughly $8 billion of inflows into space-focused ETFs, and STAR’s fast-entry and revenue-screen rules may change how quickly European investors can access major new space listings.