Altman vs. Musk: The Tech Rivalry Reaches Space

Sam Altman and Elon Musk are entering a new chapter of their long-running tech rivalry, expanding their competition from AI to outer space.

According to new reporting, Sam Altman explored a potential deal involving Stoke Space, a startup building reusable rockets that could one day compete with Elon Musk and SpaceX, signaling how the OpenAI CEO is positioning himself in sectors far beyond artificial intelligence.

While the talks did not advance, they highlight how the tech rivalry between Sam Altman and Elon Musk is accelerating across multiple fronts, from AI competition on Earth to reusable-rocket innovation in orbit.

Meanwhile, SpaceX is preparing a major share sale that could push its valuation to $800 billion and set the stage for a future IPO, reinforcing Elon Musk’s dominant lead in space technology.

As Sam Altman continues facing AI competition pressure, including what he has previously framed as a “Code Red” moment for OpenAI, the contrast with Musk’s momentum at SpaceX is striking.

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