Discussing reasonable ways to colonize our solar system

Would You Want To Own (Future) SpaceX Stock?

Posted by on Dec 5, 2007 in Blog, Space Industry | 4 comments

Elon Musk, founder of Space Exploration Technologies (or SpaceX for short) has indicated that his company may consider going public in two years.

Despite being privately funded by the self made billionaire, SpaceX may acquire some serious cash in the future as Elon seeks to play off his company against rivals–both foreign and domestic.

(Reuters) Musk said he aims to put payloads into space for one-quarter to one-third of what his domestic competitors charge. He said he could beat by one-half the cost of international competitors including China, which he called the biggest potential competitor.

A spokeswoman for the rocket joint venture between Boeing Co and Lockheed Martin, United Launch Alliance, did not return a request for comment.

“I think going public might be some time in late 2009 … something on that order,” he said in a telephone interview from his headquarters in Hawthorne, California.

Reducing the cost of travel will not only guarantee the profitability of the company (not to mention any future stock), but also help set a precedent throughout the industry.

If SpaceX is able to reduce the cost of “rocket-fare,” then humanities chances of leaving the globe en mass will increase slightly, which will hopefully encourage other entrants to do the same.

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  • Anonymous

    It makes me wonder what their "magic trick" will be. That certainly sounds impressive, even though we have no clue what it is. Getting SpaceX stock? It's too soon to say, but I may consider once more news is announced. Keep me up to date, Colony Worlds! ;)

  • Matt Metcalf

    The biggest concern I have about SpaceX going public is that somebody like Boeing or LockMart could gradually build up controlling interest and take them over. I like SpaceX, but Elon Musk needs to retain control of this company!

  • masonstorm

    I think this is one of the few times imo when privatization is a really good idea. Whether we think it’s necessary or not, we need to continue to develop new forms of space travel and technology to facilitate it. What the ppl whose only argument is “we have too many problems down here to be worrying about this,” they fail to understand the two most important implications of aeronautical research. The first is for national defense… it’s bad enough that nasa has to rely on Russia to ferry them to the ISS. If we keep going at this rate, our disadvantage will only grow as they continue to develop new technologies in their space program while we pump the brakes on ours. Is air and space superiority something you really want the Russians to have? It doesn’t seem like a good idea for any one country to have, let alone one whom we have a sketchy history with. The second is that with aeronautical research comes a flood of new technologies, most of which are very applicable to us down on earth. For example, if it wasn’t for nasa, we wouldn’t have the chips that we use for non-invasive biopsies, solar energy, and a whole litany of other things (http://www.thespaceplace.com/nasa/spinoffs.html#T… has a good number of inventions that most of us don’t know came from our space program). And if you’re one of those ppl that are so skeptical (or cynical imo) that you still don’t think that any of the things on this list warrant a larger investment in a privatized space industry, just remember that while you sleep at night, you most likely have nasa to thank for that, too. If you use any type of home security system, chances are they use infrared and laser technology that came out of nasa’s research (just look at the adt home security infrared camera page. They even admit that the technology came from nasa!)

    • cliff

      I think the military space programs rather than NASA is responsible for the development of the semiconductor technology.  Once it got started then priviate indurstry took over and developed the technology we have today.