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Elon Musk’s latest social media comment has strengthened expectations that SpaceX will pursue a blockbuster IPO in 2026. His remark followed fresh reports that the rocket and satellite company may raise more than $25 billion and seek a valuation above $1 trillion in a public listing.
Elon Musk replied to Ars Technica space journalist Eric Berger on X, writing, “As usual, Eric is accurate.” Berger had posted an article explaining why he believes SpaceX will go public soon, based on recent discussions with investors and advisers.
The exchange gave markets one of the clearest signs yet that Musk accepts an IPO as a near-term outcome. Reports indicate that SpaceX has already begun talks with banks to launch the offering around June or July 2026, though the company has not issued a formal confirmation.
SpaceX runs a fast-growing launch business built around reusable rockets and the Starlink satellite internet network. Starlink now drives a large share of group revenue and underpins expectations for a trillion-dollar valuation, alongside the Starship program for future moon and Mars missions.
According to Crunchbase data, SpaceX ranks as the world’s second-most-valuable private startup, behind ChatGPT maker OpenAI. A successful IPO at the reported valuation would likely trail only Saudi Aramco’s $1.7 trillion debut in 2019.
Investors and analysts expect strong demand for a SpaceX IPO, especially from retail traders who were unable to access earlier private rounds. Shay Boloor, chief market strategist at Futurum Equities Research, forecast substantial interest and described the potential deal as “the craziest IPO in the history of the stock market,” if valuation targets reach $1.5 trillion or more.
Some institutions already hold SpaceX shares through private deals and related holdings. Portfolio managers with exposure via EchoStar and other partners say the company generates stable cash flows from launch contracts. Starlink subscriptions add to those cash flows, while future initiatives, including space-based data centers, create additional growth potential.
At the same time, investors weigh governance and execution risk. Musk leads several high-profile firms, including Tesla and AI startup xAI, and maintains a long record of disputes with regulators. These factors shape how portfolio managers judge the risk-reward profile around a trillion-dollar listing.
Also Read: 28 Starlink Satellites Deployed as SpaceX Hits 16 Launches in September
Market historians caution that very richly valued IPOs often struggle to deliver strong long-term returns. University of Florida professor emeritus Jay Ritter notes that, between 1980 and 2023, only a small fraction of companies listing at more than 40 times annual sales traded higher three years later. On average, such stocks lost about half their value from the first day’s close and lagged broad equity benchmarks.
Saudi Aramco remains the only completed IPO to exceed a $1 trillion valuation at the time of listing. A 2026 SpaceX IPO near the rumoured range would likely sit just below that record, while also testing investor appetite for high-growth, capital-intensive space and satellite businesses at scale.
For now, Musk’s brief message on social media has pushed attention back onto SpaceX finances, Starlink growth and long-term Mars ambitions. The coming months of bank mandates, regulatory filings and market conditions will determine whether the anticipated 2026 SpaceX IPO delivers on the intense expectations building around it.
