Aquired Knowledge: The Business of Space

The Business of Space

It is Space X’s Universe and We’re Just Living in it.

By John H. Robinson, Financial Planner (June 5, 2026)

The Space X IPO on 6/12/2026 has been dominating financial news headlines for months.  The purpose of this article is the same as every other article I write - to engage and educate clients about an interesting topic. To be 100% clear, nothing in this piece is intended to suggest that consumers invest (or not invest) in Space X.  In fact, for the few folks who have asked about that, my response has been, “You Do You.”   Neither I nor anyone else on this planet has any idea if Space X will be a moonshot home run or if it will fizzle on the launch pad.  In the event of the former, I am not going to be the one who kept you from getting rich.  In the event of the latter, this was your baby all the way.

Since this topic is well beyond my expertise (I admit that I am no rocket scientist), instead of writing about Space X and the business of space I am sharing two podcasts that are definitely worth your time.  The first is from a 2024 ACQ 2 Interview with Starfish Space CEO and co-founder, Austin Link.  The second is the Acquired Space X episode from May 2020. 

The Space Industry in 2024, and How to Build a Satellite Company

The business of launching rockets and satellites into space is booming.  I recommend this ACQ2 episode because Austin Link gives a remarkable plain English explanation of the physics behind launching a rocket with a single thruster to capture and restore the orbit of a failing satellite to extend its life and  save the satellites' owners a bunch of money.  Think of it as trying to hit a bullet with another bullet, except that both bullets are going much, much faster than earthbound bullets.  ACQ2 podcasts are shorted than the regular Acquired podcasts.  This one runs just 1 hour and 19 minutes.

Elon Musk’s Mission to Mars – The Space X Story

Even though this story is now six years old and Space X’s business has expanded dramatically since then, the origin story is timeless.  As with most Acquired podcasts, this one is 2 hours and 45 minutes long.  Break it up if you must but it is such a fascinating tale that I gobbled it up in a single sitting. 

John H. Robinson is the founder of Financial Planning Hawaii and Fee-Only Planning Hawaii