In a move that could reshape the global financial landscape and the space industry, Elon Musk's SpaceX is preparing to launch the largest initial public offering (IPO) in history. According to a report in the Financial Times, the company plans to list its shares in mid-June 2026, aiming to raise up to $50 billion, which could boost its market capitalization to $1.5 trillion.
Historical background: From the Mars dream to space domination
Founded in 2002 with a bold goal announced by Elon Musk—to make humanity a “multiplayer” by colonizing Mars—SpaceX has, over the course of two decades, transformed this dream into a dominant commercial and technological reality. SpaceX has achieved unprecedented milestones, most notably the development of the reusable Falcon 9 rocket, which drastically reduced satellite launch costs and restored the United States’ ability to send astronauts to the International Space Station from its own soil. This technological revolution has not only served the company’s objectives but has also made it the preferred partner of NASA and numerous commercial companies and governments worldwide.
The growth engine: “Starlink” and the game-changer
One of the key factors that propelled SpaceX's valuation to these astronomical levels is the phenomenal success of its Starlink satellite internet project. This service consists of a massive constellation of thousands of satellites providing high-speed internet to some of the most remote areas of the world. Starlink has proven its strategic importance in multiple fields, from commercial and civilian uses to military applications, creating a growing and powerful revenue stream that has prompted Musk, who had previously preferred to keep the company private, to seriously consider taking it public.
Expected IPO Impact: Economic and Geopolitical Dimensions
If this IPO is successful and reaches its planned size, it will surpass previous records such as Saudi Aramco's IPO. Domestically, the IPO will provide SpaceX with a massive cash injection to accelerate the development of its most ambitious project, the Starship rocket designed for missions to the Moon and Mars. Globally, this event will solidify American dominance in the commercial space sector and put immense pressure on international competitors in Europe and China. Furthermore, the fact that a privately held, publicly traded company now owns the world's largest satellite internet network raises geopolitical questions about control over the flow of information globally.
Preparations on Wall Street
Preparations are well underway, with reports indicating that the company's CFO, Brett Johnson, has been holding intensive meetings with investors since December 2025. SpaceX is also collaborating with four major Wall Street investment banks to manage this massive undertaking. This comes as financial markets brace for a wave of major tech IPOs, including companies like Anthropic and OpenAI, signaling a return of confidence to the technology sector after a period of uncertainty.
