Elon Musk Said He Wouldn’t Take SpaceX Public — Two Things That Changed His Mind
cleantechnica.com Jun 8, 2026

Elon Musk Said He Wouldn’t Take SpaceX Public — Two Things That Changed His Mind

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Elon Musk previously stated he wouldn't take SpaceX public due to the stress of dealing with quarterly financial analyst calls and the pressure of being a public company. However, two key factors have changed his mind: SpaceX's profitability in 2024, driven by its Starlink business, and its current financial struggles, including a significant accumulated deficit of around $41 billion. Despite a revenue increase of 33% to $18.7 billion in the last year, SpaceX lost nearly $5 billion, with capital expenditures nearly doubling to $20.7 billion. The company's financial situation has forced Musk's hand, leading to the decision to take SpaceX public.

💡 Why It Matters

  • · SpaceX's IPO is a last resort to address its severe financial struggles, with the company burning through cash at an alarming rate.
  • · The move may be necessary for SpaceX's survival, similar to Tesla's IPO, which helped the company avoid bankruptcy.