The SpaceX IPO Is Coming. Should You Invest?

Last week, many a geeky heart was warmed after it was reported that Elon Musk's space exploration venture SpaceX could file to go public in the near future. And that initial public offering (IPO) has been one of the most hotly anticipated in recent market history.

Many people are interested in buying shares, myself included. Here's why.

To boldly go where no man has gone before

The potential $1.75 trillion company has basically resuscitated American space exploration after the Space Shuttle program was ended in 2011. From that point through 2022, Americans often had to hitch a ride on Russia's Soyuz spacecraft.

But in 2020, SpaceX's Crew Dragon had its first crewed launch to the International Space Station (ISS), and as of March 2026, the Dragon has completed 55 missions, 50 of them being visits to the ISS, and the spacecraft has been reused 34 of those times.

SpaceX has launched 648 rockets with a 98.15% success rate, with the most used being the Falcon 9 rocket at 621 launches and a 99.8% success rate.

The Falcon 9 is also the only proven reusable rocket so far, cutting down on costs considerably.

Elon Musk has made no secret of his goal to eventually establish a human presence on Mars. And SpaceX has already become NASA's go-to partner for ISS launches and other space missions.

Image source: Getty Images.

We came in peace for all mankind

SpaceX is one of two companies under consideration to build the lunar lander for NASA's Artemis missions, the other company being Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin.

The goal of the Artemis program is to establish a permanent human presence orbiting the Moon and use that to launch missions to Mars. In all, it aligns pretty well with Musk's own stated goals for space exploration.

Now, to address Blue Origin potentially getting the lander contract for Artemis: I'm doubtful it will happen. Unlike Blue Origin, SpaceX has already launched hundreds of successful missions. Blue Origin's New Glenn has only achieved one successful launch into Earth's orbit, while its New Shepard craft has managed 38 sub-orbital launches.

One small step, one giant leap

And that's my thesis for investing in SpaceX when it goes public: it's the biggest private company solely focused on space travel and easily the most visible.

Several other pure-playspace companies leapt at the news of SpaceX seeking its IPO, which could be the largest in history. Companies like Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Boeing (NYSE: BA) and their joint venture United Launch Alliance have tons of experience, the Apollo Program wouldn't have happened without them. But both Boeing and Lockheed are more known as aerospace/defense companies. SpaceX, on the other hand, has a singular focus on space and a wealth of real experience in sending people to space and bringing them back alive.

And SpaceX is not just engaged in the exploration and travel side of the space economy. There's also Starlink satellite internet, and the company is a potential partner for President Trump's proposed Golden Dome missile defense system.

So, for an end-to-end space investment, SpaceX is likely to be your best bet. And it's one I fully plan to make myself.

James Hires has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Boeing. The Motley Fool recommends Lockheed Martin. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.