SpaceX corporations' listing on Nasdaq came with Elon Musk expressing his ambition, saying he hopes it becomes a company that sends anyone to the moon, Mars and beyond.
According to the New York Times (NYT) and others, on the 12th (local time) Musk said in a speech before employees at SpaceX's headquarters, Starbase, in Texas, that he hopes SpaceX can take you to the moon, to Mars, and ultimately beyond.
Recalling the early days of the startup, Musk said he initially put SpaceX's chances of success at under 10%. He added that it is hard to believe that a small company that began in a warehouse in El Segundo, California, is now set to carry out the largest initial public offering (IPO) ever.
Musk went on, saying, we have told people, "No matter how many times you fail, you have to try, because otherwise you will not become true spacefaring citizens," and noted that while there were other aerospace corporations, they did not pursue the technology to make what is in science fiction into reality.
Musk said SpaceX's goal is to create a future that is thrilling and inspiring to everyone, leaving out the fiction from science fiction (SF), and said he hopes to be able to take not just a few astronauts but everyone who wants to go to the moon and everyone who wants to go to Mars.
On listing day, it is customary for top executives to visit the New York Stock Exchange to ring the opening bell. But Musk spent the day at the Texas headquarters with employees instead of going to New York. In New York, SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell attended to lead the event.
SpaceX was listed on Nasdaq and Nasdaq Texas on the day, with actual transactions expected to take place during the day.