SpaceX is moving forward with plans for a 2026 initial public offering, valuing Elon Musk’s space company at around $800 billion and potentially setting a record for the largest IPO ever.
The announcement comes as SpaceX conducts an insider share sale, with the latest secondary offering priced at $421 per share. This nearly doubles the $212 per share set in July, which valued the company at $400 billion. If completed, the valuation surpasses OpenAI’s $500 billion mark and makes SpaceX the world’s most valuable privately held company.
In a company memo, Chief Financial Officer Bret Johnsen said the IPO proceeds would help fund an “insane flight rate” for the Starship rocket, build artificial intelligence data centers in space, and establish a lunar base. The company aims for a total valuation of about $1.5 trillion, close to the market value set by Saudi Aramco in 2019.
The exact timing of the IPO is uncertain, and SpaceX may decide not to move forward. Johnsen noted that the insider share sale, which occurs twice a year, sets a fair market valuation ahead of the potential IPO.
SpaceX dominates the space launch market with its Falcon 9 rocket, which delivers satellites and astronauts to orbit. The company also leads in satellite-based internet services through Starlink, serving millions of users worldwide.
If the IPO proceeds as planned, it could raise more than $30 billion, making it the largest public offering in history. Analysts note the ambitious plans tied to the IPO carry significant risks, including scaling up Starship launches, expanding AI operations in orbit, and developing a lunar base.
The 2026 IPO would mark another milestone for Elon Musk, who has spearheaded several high-profile ventures including Tesla, Neuralink, and SpaceX itself. Despite the high valuation, investors will be closely watching SpaceX’s ability to meet its ambitious growth and technological goals.
By combining advanced rockets, satellite services, and space-based AI initiatives, SpaceX positions itself at the forefront of both commercial spaceflight and emerging space technologies. The IPO could provide significant capital to accelerate these projects while offering early investors and employees a chance to realize returns.
As the space industry continues to expand, SpaceX remains a leader in innovation, pushing the boundaries of what private companies can achieve beyond Earth. The upcoming IPO, if completed, could redefine public market valuations for aerospace companies and set a new standard for large-scale capital raising in the sector.