SpaceX Eyes June 2026 IPO at $1.5 Trillion Valuation

SpaceX, the rocket company led by Elon Musk, is planning to go public in June 2026 with an initial public offering that could raise up to $100 billion at a company value of $1.5 trillion. This step follows years of staying private and comes amid rising interest from investors in secondary share sales that let people buy and sell stakes before the debut. The timing lines up with growing success in satellite internet and rocket launches, pushing the firm to tap public markets for fresh cash.

Background

SpaceX started in 2002 with the goal of cutting space travel costs through reusable rockets. For over 20 years, it stayed private, raising money from investors like funds and governments without listing on a stock exchange. This let the company focus on big spends for research and development without pressure from public shareholders who want steady profits.

The Starlink satellite network changed things. It now serves millions with internet from space, bringing in steady revenue from subscriptions. Falcon 9 rockets keep setting launch records, and the bigger Starship vehicle is moving ahead with tests for moon and Mars trips. Deals with NASA and the U.S. military, including a secure version of Starlink called Starshield, add to the strength.

Private funding rounds have valued SpaceX at high levels, but demand keeps growing. Employees and early backers want ways to cash out shares. Broker-dealers step in with secondary markets where shares trade hands outside public exchanges. These sales have picked up speed lately as SpaceX grows.

Elon Musk once said he preferred keeping SpaceX private to avoid short-term demands that could slow long-term aims like colonizing Mars. But Starlink's path to reliable income and the need for huge capital sums have shifted plans. Reports point to Musk himself pushing for a June timing.

Key Details

The IPO could happen around mid-June 2026, matching a rare sky event where Jupiter and Venus appear close together, last seen over three years ago. It might also near Musk's 55th birthday on June 28. Bankers are already lining up to handle the deal, with Morgan Stanley seen as a top choice.

At $1.5 trillion, the valuation would top most public companies. Proceeds could hit $50 billion or more, beating Saudi Aramco's 2019 record of $29 billion. Some talk even floats $100 billion or a trillion in raises, though that stays in early chatter. Musk, with his big stake, could become the first trillionaire if shares jump post-IPO.

Secondary share trading is hot now. Firms like Rainmaker Securities help match buyers and sellers for late-stage private companies like SpaceX. These deals give liquidity to staff and investors waiting for an IPO. Volumes are up as people bet on SpaceX's rise.

Merger Talks Surface

New reports say SpaceX is looking at merging with Musk's AI firm xAI before going public. Bloomberg noted talks with Tesla, already public, as another option. This could blend space tech with AI goals, like orbital data centers. No deals are set, but they fit Musk's pattern of linking companies for bigger plays.

Starship progress is key. Tests in 2025 showed gains, but risks remain with propellant transfers and reentry. A failure close to IPO could delay things. SpaceX plans steady steps to show control ahead of the debut.

"The Starlink business model is established and it has further growth — that's perfect timing for an IPO. The second point is that SpaceX does need more capital — and on a pretty large scale if it wants to do Starlink V3, the expansion of Starship, and even bolder plans for space exploration. An IPO is that one time when you can raise a lot more capital in one go, on a totally different scale." – Analyst at Via Satellite roundtable

What This Means

A SpaceX IPO would open doors for everyday investors to buy into the space leader. It could spark more listings in tech and space, with 2026 already eyed as a big year. OpenAI and others might follow, bringing private giants public after a slow period.

Cash from the IPO would fuel Starship builds, Starlink expansions to lower orbits for better service, and new satellites. It matches needs for thousands more launches and AI-linked projects. Public status means more scrutiny on finances and risks, like Starship setbacks.

Secondary markets will likely stay busy until the debut, helping set share prices. If mergers happen, they could reshape Musk's empire, tying rockets to robots and AI under one roof. Tesla shifts, like dropping some car models for robot focus, hint at wider plans.

Investors watch for Starlink subscriber growth and launch wins. Government contracts grow too, with FCC nods for more satellites. The IPO tests if markets value SpaceX's mix of now-profits from Starlink and future bets on Starship.

For Musk, it means balancing control with cash needs. Selling a slice, say 10%, could raise billions while he keeps the reins. Private traders on platforms like Polymarket give high odds for an IPO by late 2027 at over $1 trillion.

SpaceX's move signals confidence in its path. Starlink users top expectations, rockets fly often, and Starship inches forward. The June window sets a clear target, with planets aligning in sky and market.