PrivatePulse·Companies·SpaceX vs Relativity Space

SpaceX vs Relativity Space: employee equity compared

Secondary market prices, valuation trajectory, equity structure, and liquidity outlook for employees choosing between SpaceX and Relativity Space.

Secondary market data updated monthly · Sources: Hiive, Forge

SpaceX

Space · Hawthorne, CA · Founded 2002

Falcon, Starship and Starlink.

Last primary round$1.3T · xAI Merger (all-stock) (2026-02)
Secondary market$1.3T (+0% vs primary)
Annual revenue$15.5B ARR · +50% YoY (fast)
Headcount~16,000
Equity typeISO/NSO
Strike price range$175–$215 (depends on cohort)
Illiquidity discount~10%
Last round lead
Liquidity outlook

IPO highly anticipated, likely 2026–2027 given massive scale. One of the most closely watched pre-IPO names in tech.

Key equity angle

Deep tech with milestone-driven upside; ISO/NSO options; patient capital essential

↑ Higher secondary premium

Relativity Space

Space · United States · Founded 2015

3D-printing rocket company pivoting from the failed Terran 1 small launch vehicle to the fully reusable Terran R (targeting 2026 debut).

Last primary round$4.2B · Series E (2022-06)
Secondary market$4.3B (+2% vs primary)
Annual revenueNot disclosed
Headcount~500
Equity typeISO/NSO
Strike price range$12–$20 (depends on cohort)
Illiquidity discount~30%
Last round leadFidelity Management
Liquidity outlook

No near-term IPO expected. Company likely 2028+ at earliest; patient equity required.

Key equity angle

Deep tech with milestone-driven upside; ISO/NSO options; patient capital essential

Key differences for employees

Equity structure

SpaceX grants ISO/NSO with strike prices ranging from $175–$215 depending on your grant year. Relativity Space grants ISO/NSO with strike prices from $12–$20.

Secondary market premium

The secondary market is pricing SpaceX at a +0% premium over its last primary round ($1.3T$1.3T). Relativity Space trades at +2% over its last round ($4.2B$4.3B). A higher secondary premium signals stronger investor demand and potentially better near-term liquidity for employees looking to sell.

Revenue and growth

SpaceX runs at $15.5B ARR, growing +50% YoY (fast). Relativity Space does not publicly disclose revenue. Revenue growth rate matters for equity because it drives the peer-multiple valuation — the method most correlated with exit multiples.

Liquidity timeline

SpaceX: IPO highly anticipated, likely 2026–2027 given massive scale. One of the most closely watched pre-IPO names in tech.

Relativity Space: No near-term IPO expected. Company likely 2028+ at earliest; patient equity required.

Calculate your specific grant

Enter your actual shares, equity type, and strike price. PrivatePulse calculates your personal equity value at both companies using 4 independent methods.

Frequently asked questions

Is SpaceX or Relativity Space a better company to work at for equity?
There's no universal answer — it depends on your risk profile, time horizon, and specific grant terms. SpaceX at $1.3T and Relativity Space at $4.2B offer very different risk/reward profiles. Use the calculator above to model your exact grant at each company.
How do I know if my SpaceX or Relativity Space equity is fairly priced?
Compare your grant's implied per-share value against the secondary market price. If investors are paying a premium on Hiive or Forge over the last primary round, that's a signal of strong demand. PrivatePulse shows you the gap between your 409A and what the secondary market says.
Can I sell my SpaceX or Relativity Space shares on the secondary market?
Secondary market transactions (Hiive, Forge, Caplight) require accredited investor status and your company's consent — most private companies have right-of-first-refusal (ROFR) provisions. Tender offers, when available, are typically the most accessible path to partial liquidity for employees.

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