SpaceX insiders say the company may go public in 2026 with a valuation target near $1.5 trillion, more than double its recent private share sale price and a figure that would rank among the largest stock market debuts in history. If this plan moves forward, it would give investors their first chance to buy into the world’s busiest launch company.
SpaceX completed 132 orbital launches in 2025, flying more missions than every other launch provider combined. Its reusable Falcon 9 rockets cut costs and brought in steady money from commercial flights and crew trips to the International Space Station.
Much of the valuation talk centers on Starlink, the satellite internet network now serving about 8.5 million users worldwide. With thousands of satellites already in orbit, analysts expect revenue to top $10 billion this year. The network brings fast internet to areas with limited service and gives SpaceX a reliable income stream that sets it apart from competitors who rely only on launch contracts.
The system has drawbacks. Astronomers say the bright satellites streak through telescope images and ruin observations. The company has worked to dim the hardware, but scientists still lose data. Some joke about cosmic photobombs, though the frustration is real.
SpaceX’s long-term bet is on Starship, the massive rocket designed to send large payloads to space at far lower costs. Recent tests showed the booster can return to its launch tower for catch attempts, a step Elon Musk says is necessary for quick reuse. NASA has backed the system for upcoming moon missions, and early cargo plans for Mars sit further down the timeline.
If Starship reaches full reuse, launch prices could drop enough to open new business opportunities, from space factories to high-volume research missions. That potential helps justify the ambitious valuation.
But challenges remain.
Tech stocks can swing wildly, and Musk’s public comments often shift investor expectations in real time. Regulators watch Starlink’s growing presence closely and have placed limits on radio bands to protect other uses. With more satellites planned, space debris worries continue to grow and could bring new restrictions.
The timing matters too. A 2026 listing would come during a period when market conditions can change fast. The company would need to convince investors that its growth can support a valuation that dwarfs most corporations.
If SpaceX proceeds, it could raise more than $30 billion for rocket development and network expansion. Supporters see it as a major moment for the space industry. Skeptics say the numbers look stretched. Either way, the next year will show whether the company can turn big talk into an actual market debut.
