SpaceX vs. MP Materials: 2 Very Different Ways to Bet on the Next Decade of Tech

The article compares Space Exploration Technologies (SPCX) with MP Materials as two very different but strategically important infrastructure bets for the next decade. SPCX is framed as a wager on Starlink and Starship: Starlink’s satellite network, laser links, and upcoming V3 hardware could expand global connectivity and direct-to-device service while lowering latency and bandwidth costs. Starship, if reliable, could sharply reduce the cost of launching payloads into orbit and accelerate space-based infrastructure. MP Materials is presented as the physical supply-chain counterpart, supplying rare-earth materials and magnets critical for EV motors, wind turbines, data center equipment, and advanced manufacturing. The piece highlights MP’s U.S. Mountain Pass mine, Texas magnet campus expansion, and customer relationships with GM and Apple. Overall, the article is opinionated market commentary favoring both companies as long-duration technology infrastructure plays rather than near-term trading ideas.