Publicly traded space companies are developing technology that will help make space settlement possible. You can contribute to the space settlement effort by investing in these companies (by purchasing stock) and/or lobbying Congress for favorable legislation.

Note: Private space companies could also use your financial and political support.

U.S.-based public companies involved in space-related activities include the following. Besides these publicly traded companies, there are many privately held corporations (e.g., Bigelow Aerospace, SpaceX) engaged in space activities or that are not traded publicly for other reasons.

• ALCOA Inc. (AA) quotes & info - Producer of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina. Active in all major aspects of the industry: technology, mining, refining, smelting, fabricating and recycling.

• Alliant Techsystems (ATK) quotes & info - Supplier of aerospace and defense products to the United States Government, United States allies and prime contractors.

• Astrotech Corp (ASTC) quotes & info - Muscle on the ground prior to satellite launch countdown. Formerly SPACEHAB, the company offers services and products that aid the US government and commercial customers in preparing satellites and cargo payloads for space launch.

• B/E Aerospace (BEAV) quotes & info - Manufacturer of cabin interior products for commercial aircraft and business jets and a distributor of aftermarket fasteners. Sells directly to airlines and airframe manufacturers and general aviation customers.

• The Boeing Company (BA) quotes & info - Together with its subsidiaries is an aerospace company that operates in six principal segments: Commercial Airplanes, Aircraft and Weapon Systems, Network Systems, Support Systems and Launch and Orbital Systems (collectively, Integrated Defense Systems (IDS)), and Boeing Capital Corporation (BCC).

• Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW) quotes & info - Curtiss-Wright Corporation engages in the design, manufacture, and overhauling of products for motion control and flow control applications. It also provides various metal treatment services.

• Ducommun, Inc. (DCO) quotes & info - Ducommun Incorporated engages in the design, engineering, and manufacture of components and assemblies for the aerospace industry. It provides metal, fiberglass, and carbon composite aerostructures.

• Essex Corporation (KEYW) quotes & info - Essex Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides signal, image, and information processing solutions primarily for the U.S. Government intelligence and defense customers.

• GenCorp, Inc. (GY) quotes & info - GenCorp, Inc. operates as a technology-based manufacturer primarily in the United States. It is organized in two segments, Aerospace and Defense; and Real Estate.

• General Dynamics (GD) quotes & info - Designs, develops, manufactures and supports technology products and services for information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat vehicles, armaments and ammunitions; shipbuilding and marine systems, and business aviation.

• General Electric (GE) quotes & info - Conducts its businesses through 11 segments: Advanced Materials, Commercial Finance, Consumer Finance, Consumer and Industrial, Energy, Equipment and Other Services, Healthcare, Infrastructure, Insurance, NBC Universal and Transportation.

• Harris Corp (HRS) quotes & info - Along with its subsidiaries is an international communications technology company focused on providing assured communications products, systems and services for government and commercial customers.

• Honeywell (HON) quotes & info - Diversified technology and manufacturing company, serving customers worldwide. Offers aerospace products and services; control, sensing and security technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; specialty chemicals; fibers, and electronic and advanced materials.

• L-3 Communications (LLL) quotes & info - Supplier of a range of products used in a number of aerospace and defense platforms.

• LMI Aerospace Inc. (LMI) quotes & info - Engaged in fabricating, machining, finishing and integrating formed, close-tolerance aluminum and specialty alloy components and sheet metal products for use by the aerospace, technology and commercial sheet metal industries.

• Lockheed Martin (LMT) quotes & info - P rincipally researches, designs, develops, manufactures, integrates, operates and supports advanced technology systems, products and services.

• Moog Inc. (MOG-A) quotes & info - Worldwide designer and manufacturer of precision motion and fluid controls and control systems. Operates in four principal business segments: aircraft controls, space and defense controls, industrial controls and components.

• Northrop Grumman (NOC) quotes & info - Provides products, services and solutions in defense and commercial electronics, nuclear and non-nuclear shipbuilding, information technology, mission systems, systems integration and space technology.

• ORBCOMM Inc. (ORBC) quotes & info - A leading provider of global satellite and cellular data communications solutions for asset tracking, management, and remote control. Maintains a global low-Earth-orbit satellite network.

• Orbit International (ORBT) quotes & info - Orbit International Corp., through its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of electronic components and subsystems for military and nonmilitary government applications in the United States.

• Orbital Sciences (ORB) quotes & info - Designs, develops, manufactures and operates small space and rocket systems for the United States Department of Defense (DoD) and other United States government agencies and for global commercial and scientific customers.

• Precision Castparts (PCP) quotes & info - Manufactures metal components and products, provides investment castings, forgings and fasteners/fastener systems for aerospace and industrial gas turbine applications.

• Raytheon (RTN) quotes & info - Engaged in the defense and government electronics, space, information technology (IT), technical services and business and special mission aircraft industry.

• Rockwell Collins (COL) quotes & info - Rockwell Collins, Inc. engages in the design, production, and support of communications and aviation electronics for military and commercial customers worldwide.

• SpaceDev. (SPDV). Acquired by private space company Sierra Nevada Corp. Space Systems in 2008. No longer traded publicly.

• SpaceHab. (See Astrotech above.)

• Teledyne Technologies, Inc. (TDY) quotes & info - Teledyne Technologies Incorporated provides electronic components, instruments, and communications products. It operates in four segments: Electronics and Communications, Systems Engineering Solutions, Aerospace Engines and Components, and Energy.

• TransDigm Group Inc. (TDG) quotes & info - Designs, produces, and supplies engineered aircraft components for use on commercial and military aircraft principally in the United States.

• United Launch Alliance (ULA) website - Provider of spacecraft launch services to the US government. Formed in 2006 as a joint venture between Lockheed Martin Space Systems and Boeing Defense, Space & Security.

• United Technologies (UTX) quotes & info - Provides high-technology products and services to the building systems and aerospace industries worldwide.

As in any industry, space companies come and go. The above is not meant to be a comprehensive list. Some of the companies listed may no longer be in operation, while newer companies may now be involved in space that are not listed.

If you know of a space company missing from the list that you feel should be included, please Contact Us and let us know.

Note: all investing must be done at the investor's own risk.

Read about a way to make private space development potentially very profitable, without depending on government funding.