Musk unveils the future of SpaceX and Tesla: robotics and energy

January 2026, and Elon Musk breaks his silence on X with statements that are a bombshell. While SpaceX has just surpassed the combined value of the six largest American defense giants, the visionary leader unveils a dizzying roadmap: space energy to power Earth, autonomous driving that could make Tesla the most valued manufacturer in the world, and Optimus robot capable of multiplying global GDP by ten.

I’ve followed these publications with fascination, and I suggest we dissect this ambitious vision. Between concrete achievements and futuristic projections, here’s what to remember with the critical perspective we like to adopt in France.

SpaceX is now worth more than the entire American defense industry

The figure is staggering: SpaceX has surpassed the historical valuation representing the sum of the six largest American defense groups. We’re talking about Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Technologies, General Dynamics, Boeing Defense, and L3Harris Technologies… combined.

How did we get here? The reusability of Falcon 9 launchers has revolutionized the space economy, dividing costs by ten. The government contracts with NASA for cargo and crewed missions have consolidated SpaceX’s position. And Starlink, with its thousands of satellites, now generates massive recurring revenue.

This valuation reflects a paradigm shift in the space industry. In twenty years, SpaceX has gone from an audacious startup to an economic behemoth, with the same disruptive innovation philosophy found at Tesla.

And if you want to follow the evolution of the valuation in real-time from your Tesla screen, it’s possible and frankly practical to stay connected to the performance of the Musk ecosystem.

Space energy, the next economic playground according to Musk

100,000 times the Earth’s energy available in space

The figure is mind-boggling: the potential for space solar capture would be 100,000 times greater than our current energy consumption. The technical explanation is brief: in space, no atmosphere to filter rays, no night, continuous sunshine 24/7.

According to Musk, less than one millionth of the energy emitted by the Sun would be enough to cover all Earth’s needs. Unlimited energy, clean, accessible… on paper.

A very long-term vision, not for tomorrow

Let’s keep our feet on the ground: no precise timeline has been given by Musk. The technical challenges are colossal. How to transport this energy from orbit to our electrical outlets? What space infrastructure to deploy? And above all, at what cost?

Even with Starship and its promise of low-cost launches, the necessary investments remain enormous. My review? It’s fascinating on paper, but I remain cautious about the implementation timelines. We’re probably talking about decades, not years.

Tesla and autonomy: a valuation higher than the rest of the automotive industry?

Elon Musk doesn’t mince words: according to him, Tesla could be worth more than the entire global automotive industry thanks to Full Self-Driving. The argument? Full autonomous driving transforms each vehicle into a revenue-generating asset via the Robotaxi network.

The concrete facts exist: the Robotaxi service is already deployed in Austin and the Bay Area. Tesla Model Ys operate without a driver, transport passengers, generate revenue. The Tesla Model S Plaid has already proven Tesla’s technical capabilities, but full autonomy remains the Holy Grail.

Compared to traditional manufacturers who sell vehicles for personal use limited to a few hours a day, the autonomous fleet model maximizes utilization. In theory, that changes everything for automotive valuation.

My analysis? I use FSD regularly, and I see the impressive progress. But to claim that Tesla is worth more than Toyota, Volkswagen, and Stellantis combined… concrete proof of large-scale profitability is needed. And in Europe, with our strict regulations, the timeline remains unclear.

Optimus, the humanoid robot that could multiply global GDP

The stated ambition is dizzying: large-scale production of the humanoid robot Optimus could increase Earth’s GDP by an order of magnitude, meaning multiplying it by ten. The economic logic? A robotic workforce available 24/7, without holidays, without fatigue, capable of performing repetitive or dangerous tasks.

The current state: promising prototypes that manipulate objects, walk, interact. But mass production has not yet started, and Musk remains evasive about precise dates. It’s a familiar tune: as with the early days of the Model 3, between technological promise and industrial challenges.

My point of view? I’ve seen Optimus in action in the official videos, it’s impressive. But going from prototype to millions of operational units? Tesla has already experienced the hell of industrial GDP multiplication with its cars. For robots, it will be even more complex.

An exponential vision versus a linear world

Musk’s entire philosophy lies in this opposition: exponential growth versus the linear thinking of traditional industries. Tesla and SpaceX have already proven this approach with electric vehicles and reusable launchers. Concrete examples exist.

But let’s face it: Musk never mentions the risks. Hindering regulations, hesitant social acceptance, awakening competition. In Europe, we tend to prioritize caution. It’s healthy, but sometimes limiting when faced with American audacity.

These ambitious projects raise legitimate questions about their short-term feasibility, and specialized sources in the sector provide valuable technical insight into the challenges to be met.

Moreover, the future compact Tesla at $25,000 clearly shows that the expansion strategy remains rooted in more immediate and accessible projects.

These announcements paint a fascinating future. Whether you’re skeptical or convinced, it’s impossible to deny that Elon Musk continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible with this permanent industrial disruption. And as a Tesla owner, I look forward to seeing where this vision takes us.