Self-directed individual retirement accounts can include alternative assets from the private space and defense technology sectors, according to information outlined in a blog article published by Next Generation Trust Company. The company provides full account administration and asset custody for self-directed IRAs and other retirement plans.
With space infrastructure emerging as both a national security priority and economic opportunity, self-directed investors have multiple avenues to build portfolio diversity through these growing sectors. Jaime Raskulinecz, CEO of Next Generation, emphasized that investors can include investments in private aerospace companies and defense technology within their retirement accounts.
The article details various aerospace-related investments suitable for self-directed IRAs, including private equity funding in private aerospace companies and specialized platforms focusing on venture-backed defense technology startups. Other eligible assets encompass space infrastructure and hardware, satellites, missile-defense systems, and artificial intelligence integration into space hardware and defense intelligence systems.
Additional investment opportunities include cybersecurity and data analytics companies, businesses involved in research, manufacturing, or sales related to defense or aerospace industries, and dual-use technologies with both military and civilian applications. On-airport real estate and aviation infrastructure also qualify as alternative assets within self-directed retirement accounts.
Industry growth and investor interest in these sectors have reached significant levels. According to Reuters reporting cited in the article, investments in the sector achieved record levels in 2025, with private investment growing 48% to $12.4 billion, including $3.8 billion in the final quarter alone. Morgan Stanley's Space Team, which tracks the space economy, estimates that the global space industry, currently valued at approximately $350 billion, could expand to over $1 trillion by 2040.
Raskulinecz advised that investors should thoroughly research all governmental regulations before selecting aerospace-related investments. As with any self-directed investment, due diligence remains essential for evaluating private placements or private equity firms under consideration. The full article detailing these investment opportunities is available at https://shorturl.at/WvJDu.
For investors seeking to diversify retirement portfolios beyond traditional stocks and bonds, these alternative assets in aerospace and defense represent emerging opportunities aligned with national priorities and technological advancement. The ability to include such investments within tax-advantaged retirement accounts could reshape how investors approach long-term wealth building while participating in sectors driving technological innovation and national security. More information about Next Generation Trust Company's services can be found at https://www.NextGenerationTrust.com.
