Next Generation Trust Company Explains Aerospace Investments for Self-Directed IRAs

Investors can build portfolio diversity through private space and defense tech assets

Mar. 14, 2026 at 7:56am

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Next Generation Trust Company, a custodian of self-directed retirement plans, has published a blog article outlining how investors can include aerospace-related assets and defense technologies in their self-directed IRAs. The article highlights a range of alternative investments in the private space and defense sectors, including private equity in aerospace companies, specialized platforms focused on defense tech startups, and investments in space infrastructure and hardware.

Why it matters

As the space industry and defense technology sectors continue to grow, self-directed investors are looking for ways to diversify their retirement portfolios by gaining exposure to these emerging markets. Next Generation Trust Company's guidance provides insight into the types of aerospace and defense-related assets that can be held in self-directed IRAs, helping investors capitalize on these investment opportunities.

The details

The article from Next Generation Trust Company lists a variety of aerospace-related investments that self-directed investors can include in their IRAs, such as private equity in private aerospace companies, platforms focused on venture-backed defense tech startups, investments in space infrastructure and hardware, and other alternative assets like satellites, missile-defense systems, AI-integrated space hardware, and cybersecurity/data analytics firms. According to the article, private investment in the space sector hit record levels in 2025, growing 48% to $12.4 billion, and the global space industry is expected to grow from an estimated $350 billion to over $1 trillion by 2040.

  • Next Generation Trust Company published the blog article on March 14, 2026.
  • Reuters reported that private investment in the space sector grew 48% to $12.4 billion in 2025.

The players

Next Generation Trust Company

A custodian of self-directed retirement plans, chartered in South Dakota, that provides account administration and transaction support services.

Jaime Raskulinecz

The CEO of Next Generation Trust Company.

Morgan Stanley's Space Team

A team at Morgan Stanley that tracks the space economy and estimates the global space industry could grow from around $350 billion to over $1 trillion by 2040.

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What they’re saying

“With space infrastructure growing as a vital national security and economic priority, there are many ways for self-directed investors to build portfolio diversity with these growing investment opportunities, by including investments in the private space and defense technology sectors in a self-directed IRA.”

— Jaime Raskulinecz, CEO of Next Generation Trust Company

“Investors are wise to research all governmental regulations thoroughly before choosing an aerospace-related investment. As with any self-directed investment, due diligence is the watchword for any private placements or private equity firms under consideration as well.”

— Jaime Raskulinecz, CEO of Next Generation Trust Company

What’s next

Investors interested in including aerospace and defense assets in their self-directed IRAs should thoroughly research all relevant governmental regulations and conduct due diligence on any private placements or private equity firms they are considering.

The takeaway

As the space industry and defense technology sectors continue to grow, self-directed investors have an opportunity to diversify their retirement portfolios by gaining exposure to these emerging markets through a range of aerospace-related investments that can be held in self-directed IRAs.