Maryellyn Musselman, 27, is wrestling with a decision that many SpaceX employees now face: whether to cash in on the historic IPO surge that has made her shares worth far more than when she earned them. The former mariner, who joined SpaceX in 2022 as an engineering officer aboard a recovery vessel off Florida’s coast, invested 10% of every paycheck into company stock, betting on the company’s future while drawing a modest salary.
SpaceX’s IPO on June 12, 2026, priced shares at $135 each, raising $75 billion in the largest initial public offering on record. The stock has since surged, trading at about $202 per share by mid-week—a gain of nearly 50% above the IPO price—according to ABC News. For Musselman, that surge means her years of disciplined investing have transformed into life-changing wealth.
When asked about her plans, Musselman told The Wall Street Journal she remains undecided. “I think it will be an 11th-hour decision,” she said in an interview published June 5, before the IPO’s debut. Her hesitation reflects a broader tension among SpaceX insiders: the stock’s momentum suggests holding longer could yield even greater returns, yet the opportunity to lock in substantial gains is now available.
SpaceX’s lockup structure differs from typical IPOs, which impose a standard 180-day restriction on insider sales. Instead, the company has created a tiered release schedule. According to Reuters, 20% of eligible employee shares can be sold after the company’s Q2 2026 earnings release, with additional tranches becoming available in increments through the following months. This structure was designed to keep insiders focused on long-term value creation rather than encouraging quick exits.
Musselman’s stake reflects her long-term commitment to the company. A related story covered SpaceX stock’s first decline since the record IPO, showing that even with the recent surge, volatility remains a factor for those deciding when to sell. Her decision will ultimately hinge on personal financial goals, tax considerations, and confidence in SpaceX’s continued growth trajectory.
Sources
- Wall Street Journal — Profile of SpaceX employees becoming overnight millionaires, including Musselman’s quote about selling being an “11th-hour decision”
- ABC News — SpaceX stock trading at $202 per share, a 50% gain above the $135 IPO price
- Reuters — Details on SpaceX’s tiered lockup period and 20% release after Q2 earnings
- Financial Express — Confirmation of Musselman’s 10% paycheck investment strategy and her uncertainty about selling
