Elon Musk’s rocket company SpaceX is in discussions with investors to raise another round of funding, and is seeking double its valuation – more than $92 billion, Business Insider reported.
Talks are still at an early stage, with SpaceX reportedly looking to reach its target in January.
US investment bank Morgan Stanley nearly doubled its valuation of SpaceX from $52 billion in July this year to more than $100 billion, according to Forbes. The bank’s bull case (most optimistic valuation) for the company is as high as $200 billion.
Last week, SpaceX performed the first high-altitude test of its new Starship SN8 prototype vehicle, designed to carry humans to the moon and on to Mars. The first mission to the Red Planet is scheduled for 2024.
Musk claimed the test flight was a success, even though it ended in a spectacular crash landing.
The SN8 prototype could not slow itself down and #SpaceX just had a nice BOOM. pic.twitter.com/i0z5dcuyPj
— jack ryan 🙏 (@dctrjack) December 9, 2020
The company is also seeking to make major investments in satellite-based internet services.
SpaceX is building its Starlink satellite internet constellation comprising more than 700 satellites to provide worldwide broadband from low-Earth orbit.
The company has two additional Starship test vehicles nearing completion and Musk says it’s likely the first orbital flight will happen in 2021.
The California-based company is also under contract with NASA to build a Starship that can land humans on the moon as part of the agency’s Artemis programme. Ultimately, Musk says he wants to send hundreds of Starships to colonise Mars.
Some social media users, however, have questioned the company's $92 billion valuation.
I doubt there could be a lower multiple company than SpaceX; no growth; I mean zero!! please show me the financials for a $93 bill valuation $TSLA $TSLAQ $SPX $MS #SpaceX https://t.co/iauSZkNqH2
— Patrick Comack (@patrickcomack) December 15, 2020
Others noted that the SpaceX seemed to be good at spending money, and perhaps not so good at rewarding investors.
All SpaceX ever does is burn cash. Well and suck government subsidies dry. https://t.co/cWGhwx4Wjm
— TC (@TESLAcharts) December 15, 2020
While others called for Musk to take the company public via an IPO, claiming that this would greatly increase its value.
@elonmusk @SpaceX Take advantage of the public markets’ demand for Growth (& exposure to you & your vision of the future) and IPO SpaceX. Valuation would 5x almost immediately and you could raise capital from & help long term retail investors not Wall st.
— Money Matters (@MoneyMattersYTV) December 7, 2020
