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SpaceX IPO Buzz Grows as Elon Musk Pushes AI, Robotaxis, and Space Dominance
Samira Vishwas | May 20, 2026 5:24 AM CST

Elon Musk has once again set the tech and financial worlds buzzing after revealing that he is back in Texas working on plans for a potential initial public offering of SpaceX. Speaking virtually at the Samson International Smart Mobility Summit in Tel Aviv on Monday, Musk hinted that preparations for the long-awaited listing may finally be entering a serious phase.

“We’ve got to get the SpaceX IPO stuff going here pretty soon,” Musk said, explaining why he could not attend the event in person.

According to reports, SpaceX could file for an IPO as early as this week. The company is reportedly looking to raise as much as $75 billion at a valuation exceeding $2 trillion. If that happens, it would become the largest IPO in history, surpassing some of the biggest public market debuts the world has ever seen.

The possible listing marks a major moment not only for Musk’s business empire but also for the global space and artificial intelligence industries.

Credits: Finance Magnates

From Rocket Company to Global Powerhouse

Over the past decade, SpaceX has transformed itself from an ambitious private rocket startup into one of the most influential aerospace companies in the world. Its reusable rockets, Starlink satellite internet network, and deep ties with the US government have helped it become a dominant player in the modern space economy.

The company now commands billions of dollars in government contracts and plays a growing role in national defense initiatives. SpaceX is also among the firms helping build former US President Donald Trump’s proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system.

The US Space Force recently awarded $3.2 billion in contracts for space-based interceptor prototypes to several defense and aerospace giants, including SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, RTX Corporationand Anduril Industries.

These contracts underline how SpaceX is no longer viewed as just a commercial rocket company. It is increasingly becoming a critical strategic partner for the US government in defense, communications, and AI-driven technologies.

Musk’s Expanding AI Vision

While SpaceX dominates headlines, Musk also used the summit to push his broader vision for artificial intelligence and autonomous transportation.

At TeslaMusk said the company plans to spend more than $25 billion this year to accelerate the development of what he calls “physical AI” for robotics and automobiles.

He predicted that fully driverless cars operating without human safety monitors could become widespread across the United States by the end of this year.

“And hopefully in Israel too,” Musk added.

Tesla has already announced plans to expand its Robotaxi operations to cities including Phoenix, Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Las Vegas during the first half of the year. Musk has repeatedly argued that autonomous driving and AI-powered mobility will eventually become Tesla’s biggest business segment.

The Push for Global FSD Expansion

A major part of Tesla’s strategy revolves around its controversial Full Self-Driving software, commonly known as FSD.

During Tesla’s recent earnings call, Musk said the company aims to launch “unsupervised” Robotaxis in roughly a dozen US states by year-end. At the same time, Tesla is also pushing aggressively into Europe.

Musk highlighted that recent regulatory approval for Tesla’s FSD system in the Netherlands could pave the way for broader European approval later this quarter. However, regulators clarified that the European version of FSD differs significantly from the system currently used in the US.

Unlike fully autonomous systems, Tesla’s FSD still requires drivers to remain alert and ready to take control at any moment. That distinction continues to fuel debate among regulators, safety experts, and consumers.

Elon Musk's $1.75 trillion 'Muskonomy' gamble: SpaceX files for world's  largest IPO | World News - The Indian Express

Credits: The Indian Express

A Defining Moment for Musk’s Empire

The timing of a potential SpaceX IPO is particularly significant. Musk’s companies now sit at the center of several global megatrends — artificial intelligence, autonomous mobility, defense technology, satellite communications, and commercial space exploration.

Musk also recently joined a delegation of business leaders traveling with Donald Trump to China for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinpinghighlighting the billionaire’s growing geopolitical influence.

If SpaceX successfully enters the public markets at the reported valuation, it would not only reshape the IPO landscape but could also cement Musk’s position as the most influential entrepreneur of the AI and space age.


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