Exclusive | SpaceX in Talks for $800 Billion Valuation Ahead of Potential 2026 IPO – WSJ
Elon Musk’s SpaceX is making headlines again—and this time, it’s about money and the future of space business.
SpaceX has told its employees that it plans to buy insider shares in a deal that would value the company at an eye-popping $800 billion. If completed, this would make SpaceX the most valuable private company in the world, ahead of AI giant OpenAI.
What’s driving the $800 billion valuation?
According to a letter sent to employees by Bret Johnsen, SpaceX’s Chief Financial Officer, the company plans to purchase $2.56 billion worth of shares at $421 per share. That price is nearly double SpaceX’s previous internal valuation.
More importantly, the letter also hinted at something even bigger: a possible initial public offering (IPO) as early as next year, although no final decision has been made yet.
Johnsen made it clear that timing and valuation are still uncertain. However, he noted that if SpaceX performs well and market conditions are favorable, going public could bring in massive capital to fuel its ambitious plans.
Why a SpaceX IPO would be historic
If SpaceX does go public, it would likely become one of the largest IPOs ever, creating enormous wealth for employees and investors. Elon Musk, who founded the company in 2002, remains the largest shareholder, owning about 44% of SpaceX as of 2022.
Over the years, SpaceX has attracted major investors, including Founders Fund and Alphabet (Google’s parent company), while building a dominant position in rockets and satellite internet through Starlink.
More than rockets: SpaceX’s global influence
SpaceX is not just a commercial success—it plays a critical role in national security and space exploration. The company works closely with NASA, the Pentagon, and other government agencies, making it a key player in both civilian and defense space missions.
Musk’s long-term vision is even more ambitious. SpaceX is developing Starship, a massive rocket designed to carry humans to Mars, support a future Moon base known as “Moonbase Alpha,” and dramatically increase launch frequency. While some lunar timelines have slipped, the broader mission remains unchanged.
Why Musk may now embrace public markets
Elon Musk has often criticized public markets and once even threatened to take Tesla private. But with SpaceX’s growing capital needs—and Musk recently securing a Tesla pay package potentially worth $1 trillion—his stance appears to be shifting.
In his message to employees, Johnsen explained that an IPO could unlock new possibilities, including faster Starship launches, space-based AI data centers, and expanded missions to the Moon and Mars.
The big picture
Whether or not SpaceX goes public next year, one thing is clear: the company is entering a new phase. An $800 billion valuation signals investor confidence not just in rockets, but in Musk’s bold vision of making humanity multi-planetary—possibly within our lifetimes.
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