New York stock market news: Cathie Wood is making another bold bet on innovation. Her investment firm, ARK Invest, purchased more than $51 million worth of SpaceX stock during the week ending July 10, 2026. The buying continued even as SpaceX shares traded below their recent highs and investors waited for the company’s highly anticipated Starship Flight Test 13.
For long-term investors, this move sends a familiar message. Wood has built her reputation by investing in disruptive technologies before they become mainstream. SpaceX remains one of her highest-conviction investments, despite short-term market volatility.
This article explains why ARK Invest continues buying SpaceX, what happened with Starship Test 13, and what these developments could mean for investors.
ARK Invest Adds More Than $51 Million in SpaceX Stock
According to multiple reports, ARK Invest purchased approximately $52 million (over $51 million) worth of SpaceX shares across several actively managed ETFs during the week ending July 10.
The purchases came through funds including:
- ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK)
- ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ)
- ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW)
- ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX)
These purchases continue a trend that started immediately after SpaceX’s Nasdaq debut in June 2026. Instead of taking profits after the IPO, ARK has consistently increased its position whenever the stock experienced weakness.
Why Is Cathie Wood Buying More SpaceX?
Cathie Wood has never hidden her enthusiasm for disruptive technologies.
She believes companies leading major technological shifts can create enormous long-term value. SpaceX fits that investment philosophy because it operates across several fast-growing industries, including:
- Commercial space launches
- Satellite internet through Starlink
- National security contracts
- Reusable rocket technology
- Future deep-space transportation
Rather than reacting to daily price swings, Wood focuses on what she believes the business could become over the next decade.
That explains why ARK continued buying even after SpaceX shares pulled back from post-IPO highs.
SpaceX Stock Faces Early Volatility
Every major IPO experiences growing pains.
SpaceX has been no exception.
After a strong public debut, the stock entered a period of volatility as investors evaluated its valuation, future earnings potential, and upcoming insider share lock-up expiration.
The stock recently closed below its IPO price for the first time, raising questions about whether the correction had further to run.
Several factors contributed to investor caution:
- Rich valuation compared with projected revenue
- Expectations of additional shares entering the market after lock-up periods
- Heavy focus on upcoming Starship milestones
- General profit-taking following a strong IPO run
Despite those concerns, ARK Invest viewed the decline as a buying opportunity instead of a warning sign.
Why Starship Test Flight 13 Matters
SpaceX’s Starship program represents much more than another rocket launch.
It is central to the company’s long-term business strategy.
Starship aims to become the world’s largest fully reusable launch vehicle, dramatically reducing the cost of reaching orbit.
The Flight Test 13 mission was expected to evaluate several important objectives, including:
- Deployment of next-generation Starlink satellites
- Improvements to reusable launch systems
- Raptor engine performance
- Heat shield durability
- Orbital mission capabilities
Success would strengthen confidence in SpaceX’s future revenue opportunities.
Failure—or even delays—could temporarily pressure investor sentiment.
That makes every Starship launch closely watched by both engineers and Wall Street.
What Happened During Starship Flight Test 13?
The scheduled launch did not proceed as planned.
Just before liftoff, SpaceX automatically aborted the launch after several Super Heavy booster engines failed to ignite properly.
According to Elon Musk, engineers planned to replace two Raptor engines before attempting another launch the following week.
Although disappointing, the automatic abort actually demonstrated one of the system’s key safety features.
Instead of risking a dangerous launch, onboard systems stopped the mission before liftoff.
SpaceX has followed this engineering-first philosophy throughout Starship development, where identifying problems before launch often prevents much larger failures.
The market initially reacted negatively, with SpaceX shares slipping following the aborted attempt.
Why Investors Still Believe in SpaceX
Short-term launch delays rarely change SpaceX’s long-term story.
The company remains a leader in commercial spaceflight, with strengths including:
Starlink Growth
Starlink continues expanding global satellite internet coverage.
The business already generates significant recurring revenue and remains one of SpaceX’s fastest-growing divisions.
Many analysts believe Starlink could eventually become even more valuable than the launch business.
Strong Government Contracts
SpaceX works closely with NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense, and other government agencies. These long-term contracts provide steady revenue while supporting ambitious research programs.
Reusable Rockets
Reusable launch technology remains one of SpaceX’s biggest competitive advantages. Every successful landing lowers launch costs and improves profitability over time.
Starship aims to extend that advantage even further.
Innovation Leadership
SpaceX continues pushing boundaries in aerospace engineering.
Few companies combine launch services, satellite communications, spacecraft development, and reusable rockets under one roof.
That broad innovation platform aligns closely with ARK Invest’s investment philosophy.
Risks Investors Should Consider
Even high-quality companies face risks. SpaceX investors should remember several important factors.
High Valuation
SpaceX still trades at a premium valuation compared with many established aerospace companies.
That leaves little room for disappointment if growth slows.
Technical Challenges
Starship remains under active development.
Rocket testing naturally includes delays, failures, redesigns, and unexpected engineering problems. Those events can create short-term market volatility.
Insider Share Unlocks
Upcoming lock-up expirations may increase the number of shares available for trading.
Greater supply can temporarily pressure stock prices.
Market Sentiment
Growth stocks often react strongly to interest rates, economic uncertainty, and broader market trends.
Even excellent businesses can experience sharp corrections during periods of market stress.
What Does ARK’s Buying Signal Mean?
Institutional buying does not guarantee future gains.
However, it often reflects strong internal research. ARK Invest has spent years studying SpaceX before its public listing and previously invested through private markets.
The firm’s willingness to continue purchasing shares after the IPO suggests confidence that recent weakness reflects normal market volatility rather than deteriorating business fundamentals.
That distinction matters for long-term investors.
Buying during uncertainty has become one of Cathie Wood’s signature investment strategies.
Should Investors Follow Cathie Wood?
There is no universal answer.
Cathie Wood has made several remarkable long-term investment calls, including early positions in disruptive technology companies. She has also experienced periods of significant underperformance when growth stocks fell out of favor.
Investors should treat ARK’s purchases as one piece of information rather than investment advice.
Before buying any stock, consider:
- Your investment goals
- Risk tolerance
- Portfolio diversification
- Investment time horizon
Research should always come before following any well-known investor.
After all, even rockets require careful planning before launch.
Final Thoughts
Cathie Wood’s decision to purchase more than $51 million worth of SpaceX stock shows continued confidence in one of the world’s most innovative companies.
Although Starship Flight Test 13 ended with a launch abort rather than a liftoff, the event does not change SpaceX’s broader mission. The company continues developing reusable launch technology, expanding Starlink, and strengthening its position in the commercial space industry. Join Cathie Wood’s latest business news Forum discussion now to share your opinions online
Short-term stock movements will likely remain volatile as investors watch Starship progress, future launches, and insider share unlocks. However, ARK Invest’s continued buying indicates that Cathie Wood still sees substantial long-term potential.
Whether that optimism proves correct will depend on execution, innovation, and SpaceX’s ability to deliver on some of the most ambitious goals in modern aerospace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Cathie Wood buy more SpaceX stock?
ARK Invest increased its SpaceX holdings because Cathie Wood believes the company remains a long-term leader in disruptive technologies, including reusable rockets, satellite internet, and commercial space exploration.
How much SpaceX stock did ARK Invest buy?
Reports indicate ARK Invest purchased more than $51 million (approximately $52 million) worth of SpaceX shares during the week ending July 10, 2026.
What happened during Starship Flight Test 13?
The launch was automatically aborted seconds before liftoff after multiple Raptor engines failed to ignite correctly. SpaceX planned another launch attempt after replacing two engines.
Is SpaceX stock a long-term investment?
Many investors view SpaceX as a long-term growth company because of its leadership in reusable rockets, Starlink satellite internet, and commercial space services. However, the stock also carries meaningful valuation and execution risks.
Why is Starship important to SpaceX?
Starship is designed to become a fully reusable heavy-lift rocket capable of lowering launch costs, supporting larger satellite deployments, enabling lunar missions, and eventually transporting humans to Mars. Its success is considered critical to SpaceX’s long-term growth strategy.