New Delhi: Elon Musk’s compensation package at SpaceX has been linked to some of the most ambitious growth targets ever set for a technology and space company, with the performance-based award tied to valuation milestones reaching as high as $7.5 trillion. The package also includes targets linked to a permanent human settlement on Mars and large-scale computing infrastructure outside Earth.
According to filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission, Musk holds 1.302 billion restricted Class B shares at SpaceX that are subject to performance conditions. Of these, 1 billion shares are linked to 15 valuation milestones beginning at $500 billion and rising in $500 billion steps to $7.5 trillion. For the shares to vest, SpaceX must also establish a permanent human colony on Mars with at least one million inhabitants.
A separate award covering around 302 million restricted shares is linked to valuation milestones ranging from $1.065 trillion to $6.565 trillion. It also requires SpaceX to develop non-Earth-based data centres capable of delivering 100 terawatts of computing capacity per year. The awards are subject to Musk continuing to work for the company when the targets are achieved and certified.
The scale of the targets reflects the changing business plans of SpaceX. The company is no longer focused only on rocket launches. Its operations include Starlink, the satellite internet business, while its wider technology ambitions are increasingly connected with artificial intelligence and computing infrastructure.
Musk’s existing ownership also gives him a major financial interest in SpaceX. An SEC filing shows that he beneficially owned about 48.4% of the company’s shares as of June 2026, including shares held through trusts and restricted stock.
The often-reported $1.1 trillion figure should not be described as Musk’s SpaceX salary or guaranteed compensation. It refers to estimates of Musk’s overall wealth linked to the value of his holdings and other assets. His SpaceX compensation is primarily equity-based and depends on the company achieving the specified targets.
SpaceX’s expansion is also extending into areas beyond traditional space transportation. Starlink has become a major part of the company’s business, with thousands of satellites providing internet connectivity across different markets. The company is also pursuing large-scale AI computing ambitions.
