The world's first commercial spaceplane entered the final testing phase ahead of its first flight in 2024 in December. Now, the company behind the orbital-class spaceplane, Sierra Space Corp., is laying the groundwork for an initial public offering and possible acquisitions.

On Thursday, Sierra Space Chief Executive Officer Tom Vice spoke with Bloomberg about Sierra's plans to tap public markets. Vice said the timing of the IPO is uncertain, but it will take the leap "when the market looks like it'll give us the right credit for valuation."

"We want access to the public markets," the executive said, adding, "We've been working for a year and a half to make sure that we are public company ready." Perhaps this means when Powell starts cutting interest rates? 

Vice also mentioned "inorganic add-ons," and "consolidation activity." This is fancy CEO speak for mergers and acquisitions. 

Vice's comments were ahead of a media event on Thursday at NASA's facility in Sandusky, Ohio. The space agency revealed Sierra's Dream Chaser to the public, indicating it could resupply cargo to the International Space Station. 

At the event, Vice said, "The most significant industrial revolution is underway in space." He continued: "The signs are all around us that we're now living in the orbital age."

Tenacity & Shooting Star, @SierraSpaceCo’s new cargo carrying spaceplane planned for launch in 2024.

Learn more from NSF at: https://t.co/Lsj4FaPVaE

Photos for @NASASpaceflight pic.twitter.com/0TbkIJM7Dk

— Brady Kenniston (@TheFavoritist) February 1, 2024

Separately, a recent Bloomberg report indicated Elon Musk's SpaceX company might spin off Starlink for an IPO later this year. So, forget the AI bubble. There's a new one emerging: space.

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