Amazon and Google Expand Frontier Tech Bets in Space and Nuclear Energy
Amazon agreed to buy Globalstar to strengthen its Leo satellite effort and gain spectrum and customer access. The purchase will close next year and signals the company intends to expand its satellite services. For you, this means Amazon could use owned capacity to support cloud customers and retail logistics in remote regions.
Alphabet’s early SpaceX stake stems from a 2015 $1 billion investment with Fidelity. MarketWatch reports the stake’s current value rivals many public companies ahead of SpaceX’s IPO. Track any SpaceX offering for its effect on private-space valuations and Alphabet’s balance sheet.
X-energy, a nuclear startup backed by Amazon, filed to raise up to $800 million in an IPO. The filing sets a price range of $16 to $19 per share. Amazon led a prior $500 million round and has pledged up to 5 gigawatts of future purchases. For your investments, weigh long timelines and regulatory risk against the strategic support from large tech backers.
Key Takeaways
- X-energy filed to raise up to $800 million in an IPO, with a proposed price range of $16 to $19 per share.marketwatch.com
- Amazon agreed to acquire Globalstar, a satellite operator, in a deal set to close next year to support its Leo satellite unit.marketwatch.com
- Google invested $1 billion in SpaceX in 2015 with Fidelity, a stake MarketWatch reports is now large relative to many public companies ahead of a potential SpaceX IPO.techcrunch.com
Affected Companies
Sources
How the Globalstar purchase could turn Amazon’s Leo into a satellite powerhouse
MarketWatch
“Reported that Amazon will acquire Globalstar to bolster its Leo satellite unit and that the deal is set to close next year.”
Google’s stake in SpaceX could be worth more than most companies on the planet
MarketWatch
“Reported that Google and Fidelity invested $1 billion in SpaceX in 2015 and that the stake’s current value is large relative to many public companies ahead of a potential IPO.”
Amazon-backed X-energy files to raise up to $800M in IPO
TechCrunch
“Reported that X-energy filed to raise up to $800 million in an IPO, set a $16 to $19 per share range, and noted Amazon’s prior $500 million investment and a 5 gigawatt purchase pledge.”