
AI-generated illustration
SpaceX reported that its revenue climbed 161% year over year in the third quarter of 2026, reaching $14.6 billion, driven by growth in its artificial intelligence segment and rising Starlink subscriber numbers.
The company, which went public in June, posted net profit of $4.4 billion for the quarter, with both revenue and earnings coming in above market expectations.
AI revenue jumps 830%
Revenue for the July-September period reached $14.6 billion, up from $5.6 billion in the same quarter of 2025, according to the results SpaceX released.
Artificial intelligence revenue rose 830% from a year earlier to $7.6 billion. The connectivity segment brought in $5.2 billion, an increase of 69%, while space revenue grew 6% to $1.8 billion.
Profit turns from a year-earlier loss
Net profit for the third quarter stood at $4.4 billion, compared with a net loss of $1.05 billion in the same period last year. Earnings per share were 35 cents, against a loss of 36 cents per share a year earlier.
Both revenue and profit exceeded market forecasts.
Capital spending tops $16 billion for AI
Total capital expenditure in the quarter reached $19.6 billion, with AI-related spending alone exceeding $16 billion.
SpaceX carried out 113 launches between January and September this year. The number of Starlink satellites in orbit passed 11,000, and countries with Starlink coverage reached 174.
Starlink subscribers rose to 13.6 million by the end of September, up from 12 million at the end of June.
Musk forecasts $500 billion to $1 trillion in annual revenue
The company drew attention by using the phrase "super intelligence" instead of artificial intelligence in its statement on the results.
CEO Elon Musk told an investor call on the financial results that annual revenue could reach between $500 billion and $1 trillion by the end of 2027.
Key takeaways
- SpaceX revenue rose 161% year over year to $14.6 billion in the third quarter of 2026.
- AI revenue climbed 830% to $7.6 billion, while connectivity revenue reached $5.2 billion and space revenue $1.8 billion.
- Net profit was $4.4 billion, versus a $1.05 billion loss a year earlier, with results above market expectations.
- Starlink subscribers grew to 13.6 million by the end of September, and Musk projected $500 billion to $1 trillion in annual revenue by end-2027.
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