By Shahmir Ahmed (Bocconi University); Shivam Gujral (University of Cambridge) Photo: Kevin Stadnyk (Unsplash) Summary of IPO York Space Systems (NYSE: YSS) is a US-based space and defence prime contractor providing mission-critical solutions across national security, government, and commercial markets. Founded in 2012 and backed by private equity firm AE Industrial Partners prior to its NYSE IPO in January 2026, York positions itself as one of the only vertically integrated