SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has hinted at a major strategic shift for the company. In a post on X on December 11, he suggested a potential overhaul in 2026. Musk publicly responded to ongoing speculation about a SpaceX initial public offering (IPO). He confirmed that a recent report on the company’s plans is “accurate.”
The comment surfaced in a reply to an Ars Technica article. The article analysed why a SpaceX IPO now appears viable. Musk’s endorsement adds significant weight to recent financial reports. Multiple sources indicate SpaceX is preparing for a potential public listing in 2026.
According to Ars Technica senior space editor Eric Berger, this marks a major reversal. Musk previously avoided an IPO to sidestep the public scrutiny he faced with Tesla. He also wanted to prevent shareholder pressure from derailing his long-term vision for Mars. A 2026 timeline suggests a strategic shift in his approach.
Here's why I think SpaceX is going public soon.https://t.co/KEZIjhEsTH
— Eric Berger (@SciGuySpace) December 10, 2025
SpaceX currently holds a formidable position in the private market. Data from Crunchbase ranks it as the second most valuable private startup globally. It trails only OpenAI, the artificial intelligence leader, in valuation.
Reuters confirmed the 2026 IPO timeline. It reported SpaceX is targeting over $25 billion in funding from the offering. Internal sources indicate the listing could value the company at over $1 trillion.
If these valuations materialise, the SpaceX IPO would make financial history. It would become the second-largest initial public offering in history. The record is currently held by Saudi Aramco, which raised $1.7 trillion in its 2019 initial public offering.