SpaceX has launched what is expected to be the largest initial public offering (IPO) in US history, allowing investors for the first time to buy shares in Elon Musk’s private space company.

The IPO has raised at least $75 billion, with shares initially priced at $135 each. Trading began on Friday, with the stock quickly rising to around $150 per share, significantly above the offering price. The strong debut is expected to make SpaceX one of the ten largest publicly traded companies in the United States.

Previously owned by Musk and a group of private investors, SpaceX is now opening its doors to public shareholders. Unlike many large IPOs, a greater proportion of shares has been made available to individual investors, although major investment funds are also expected to hold substantial stakes.

SpaceX’s business extends beyond rocket launches and satellite communications. The company is pursuing ambitious projects, including missions to Mars, asteroid mining, and plans to develop artificial intelligence data centres in space. Its prospectus argues that humanity must expand beyond Earth to ensure its long-term survival.

Musk intends to use the capital raised through the IPO to accelerate these initiatives and expand the company’s existing operations. While supporters believe Musk has a history of achieving goals once considered impossible, critics remain sceptical about the feasibility and profitability of some of SpaceX’s long-term plans.

Investors considering buying SpaceX shares should weigh both the company’s innovative potential and the risks associated with highly ambitious projects that may take years, or even decades, to generate returns. The IPO marks a significant milestone for SpaceX and could reshape the landscape of both the space industry and public markets.