Few companies stand out as much as Elon Musk’s empire of technology and innovation. From Tesla to SpaceX, Musk has created a new world of transportation tech. However, one portion of Elon’s empire could be crumbling. This is Bankruptcy Court, our series on famous bankruptcy cases, and this time we’re covering SpaceX.
What Is SpaceX?
The Space Exploration Technologies Corp. also known as SpaceX, is an American aerospace and space transportation manufacturer owned and operated by Elon Musk. The mission of SpaceX is to “make humanity multi-planetary” by making space travel accessible to the masses.
SpaceX has had over 135 launches in its nearly ten years of business and remains the only private company to launch and return spacecraft successfully. The company has not only helped to transport cargo to and from the International Space Station, but it has also transported passengers.
Since its founding, Elon Musk has envisioned a future where people buy a ticket to outer space and have the option to travel the galaxy for pleasure. However, his aspirations are proving to be taxing on investors.
Trouble
One of the most recent ventures, Starship, has proven to be a financial drain. Employees and engineers have tried to fix complications with the Raptor engine, but further repairs cost more than anticipated.
Not only does the company have to compensate employees for their overtime hours, but the parts and actual repair of the ship are expensive. Since SpaceX is the only private company of its kind, getting the materials they need is more complicated than borrowing a part from a competitor for a higher price.
Because of this, Musk warned employees that the company could face bankruptcy if these issues are not resolved soon. This doesn’t mean that SpaceX is filing for bankruptcy, but the tenuous financial situation could push the company over the edge.
What Happens Now?
While SpaceX is not currently filing for bankruptcy, it could be a real possibility in the near future. This situation is very serious, and many companies in similar circumstances have filed for bankruptcy in the end.
At this point, it’s unclear which type of bankruptcy Musk would file for, but Chapter 11 seems to be the most appropriate option. Under Chapter 11, SpaceX would be able to:
- Restructure finances
- Balance income and expenses
- Regain profitability
- Modify payment terms
- Reduce obligations
For SpaceX, this could mean reducing the size of their other ventures to focus on making Starship successful. While bankruptcy would certainly be a setback, SpaceX is robust enough to recover profits over time and even expand further into space travel technologies.
Is Your Business Struggling?
If you are a business owner, the thought of losing everything you’ve built can be devastating. However, you don’t have to sacrifice your dreams to settle debts. Buchalter & Pelphrey Attorneys At Law can evaluate your situation, provide a realistic solution, and guide you every step of the way.
Contact Buchalter & Pelphrey Attorneys At Law for more information.
Let Our Family Help Yours.