SpaceX, the rocket company owned by billionaire Elon Musk, is preparing for what financial experts are calling a monumental moment in economic history. Reports have confirmed that the company is making plans to list its shares on the stock market. This move, known as an Initial Public Offering (IPO), would allow members of the public to buy a piece of the company for the first time.
The decision comes after the massive success of Starlink, the company’s satellite internet business, which has caused the total value of SpaceX to skyrocket to record-breaking levels.
A Trillion-Dollar Ambition
For years, SpaceX has operated as a private company. This meant that its shares were not traded on open stock exchanges like the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq. Instead, only a small group of private investors and employees owned parts of the business.
However, according to the latest reports, the company is now targeting a public listing that could value the firm at an eye-watering amount. Some analysts believe that once the shares go public, SpaceX could quickly become one of the most valuable companies in the world, potentially rivaling tech giants like Apple and Microsoft.
The driving force behind this massive valuation is not just the rockets that fly to the International Space Station, but Starlink. Starlink is a network of thousands of small satellites orbiting the Earth. They beam high-speed internet down to the ground. In 2025, Starlink has become a dominant force in global telecommunications, providing internet to millions of customers in remote areas, on ships, and on aeroplanes. It has transformed from a risky project into a reliable ‘cash cow’ that generates billions of pounds in revenue every year.
Elon Musk’s Wealth to Surge
Elon Musk is already the richest person on the planet, but this stock market launch could push his wealth into uncharted territory. Musk owns a very large portion of SpaceX—estimated to be nearly 42 per cent. If the company goes public at the predicted valuation, the value of his personal shares would increase dramatically. Financial experts suggest that this single event could see his net worth jump by hundreds of billions of dollars overnight, separating him even further from other billionaires in the global wealth rankings.
The potential IPO also marks a change in Musk’s strategy. In the past, he famously said he did not want to take SpaceX public until the company was regularly flying to Mars. He worried that the pressure of the stock market—where investors demand profits every three months—would distract from his long-term goal of colonising the Red Planet.
The massive cost of building the Starship rocket and the need to expand Starlink seems to have changed his mind. Going public is the fastest way to raise the huge amounts of cash needed to fund these ambitious projects.
Risks and Rewards for Investors
For ordinary investors, the chance to buy shares in SpaceX is incredibly exciting. For over a decade, people have watched Musk land rockets and launch astronauts, wishing they could invest in the company. Now, they may finally get that chance.
However, financial advisors are urging caution. They warn that while the potential for profit is high, the risks are also significant. Space travel is a dangerous and unpredictable business. A single failed launch or a problem with the satellites could cause the share price to crash.
Furthermore, investors will have to get used to Elon Musk’s unique style of leadership. As the head of a public company, he will be answerable to shareholders and regulators in a way he was not when the company was private. His history with his other public company, Tesla, shows that his tweets and public comments can cause wild swings in the stock price. Despite these risks, the demand for shares is expected to be overwhelming. Wall Street is already preparing for what could be the biggest market debut of the decade.
What Comes Next?
No official date has been set for the launch, but documents filed suggest it could happen in early 2026. The company is currently working with major banks to organise the sale. Until then, the world will be watching closely. If successful, the SpaceX IPO will not only make history on the stock market but also secure the funding needed to take humanity to the Moon and eventually to Mars. It signals that the ‘new space race’ is no longer just about science and exploration, but about serious business and massive financial returns.