New York : Elon Musk has reignited speculation about a potential SpaceX initial public offering in 2026, after responding to journalist Eric Berger on X with the cryptic message: “Next year? Maybe.” The comment, posted on December 10, 2025, immediately sent markets buzzing as reports suggested SpaceX is targeting a valuation of up to $200–350 billion ahead of a public listing.
The exchange came shortly after Starship’s 20th successful test flight, which deployed 100 satellites to support the expansion of Starlink, now serving more than 10 million global users. With SpaceX remaining private, analysts say an IPO could unlock up to $50 billion in new capital—funding Musk’s ambitious goal of launching crewed Mars missions by 2030.
Musk’s growing collaboration with NASA, particularly under Administrator Bill Nelson through the Artemis lunar program, has strengthened confidence among institutional investors. Firms like BlackRock are reportedly eyeing up to a 10% stake if SpaceX goes public, viewing the company as the dominant player in reusable rocketry after a record-setting 300+ Falcon launches in 2025.
The IPO buzz comes against a backdrop of volatility for Musk’s other ventures—Tesla shares dipped 5% following new US tariff policies under President Trump—while Musk simultaneously maintains his high-profile advisory role in the DOGE cryptocurrency ecosystem.
However, challenges remain. Regulatory scrutiny from the FAA, particularly regarding Starship’s launch frequency and environmental impact, poses a hurdle for rapid expansion. Filing for a public listing is expected by Q2 2026 if approvals proceed on schedule.
SpaceX continues to reshape the aerospace industry, with Starlink revenues approaching $9 billion annually and demand surging across emerging markets, aviation, and defense sectors.
