SpaceX Sets Sights on $800 Billion Valuation Ahead of 2026 IPO
SpaceX Corporation is preparing for a significant secondary stock sale that may set the stage for a public offering, with a projected valuation of $800 billion. According to The Wall Street Journal, this valuation could position SpaceX as the most valuable private company globally, surpassing OpenAI’s current valuation of $500 billion.
A secondary sale allows existing employees and investors to sell some of their shares, and SpaceX typically conducts these transactions biannually. Following its last secondary sale in June, CEO Elon Musk indicated that the company was on track to achieve $15.5 billion in sales by the end of 2025.
The company’s revenue is increasingly bolstered by its Starlink internet service, which utilizes a constellation of over 9,000 satellites orbiting a few hundred miles above Earth. This lower altitude enables quicker connectivity compared to traditional satellite networks. Starlink has gained millions of users globally, including an enterprise version known as Starlink for Businesses, which offers enhanced customer support and higher bandwidth options. The premium business plan includes up to 2 terabytes of monthly bandwidth for fixed-site deployments.
To enhance connectivity, business clients employ the Starlink Performance device, designed to establish links with multiple satellites simultaneously for superior network performance. This rugged device is encased in durable aluminum, ensuring resilience in adverse weather conditions.
As reported by The Information, SpaceX’s anticipated $800 billion secondary sale may be succeeded by an initial public offering (IPO) targeted for the latter half of 2026. The funds raised through the IPO could help finance high-cost ventures such as Starlink and its ambitious Starship project, the next-generation successor to the Falcon rocket.
Starship boasts a height of 400 feet and is powered by 33 engines. It consists of two components: a first-stage booster for orbital ascent and a spacecraft capable of transporting up to 150 metric tons of cargo. Both stages are designed to be reusable, potentially lowering the operational costs compared to traditional launch vehicles.
The aerospace giant also faces competition from Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, which has recently completed the successful landing of its New Glenn rocket. Blue Origin is poised to contribute to Amazon’s efforts in deploying internet satellites as part of its Project Kuiper initiative, which aims to compete directly with Starlink.
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