Over the past two decades, Musk has become one of the most famous personalities in Silicon Valley. His first huge success is the sale of the electronic payment system PayPal in 2002. After that, Musk decided on his entrepreneurial strategy: he strives to make technically complex and expensive products more accessible and cheaper.
Dreams of space
Shortly thereafter, Musk founded SpaceX, a private enterprise in the construction and operation of space transport. An ambitious goal is the colonization of Mars. The firm, which wants to make space tourism cheaper, is now valued at nearly $ 24 billion.
After a series of failed launch attempts, the Falcon 9 launch vehicle and the Dragon transport spacecraft have nevertheless become important suppliers of cargo for the International Space Station (ISS). As early as 2022, SpaceX plans to begin the first cargo shipments to Mars. It also promises to carry out passenger transportation in two years.
Transport revolution
Musk founded Tesla after SpaceX in 2003. The company manufactures electric vehicles and conducts research in search of new energy saving methods. The third model, which was supposed to become an electric car for the masses, turned out to be somewhat problematic. Due to faulty brakes, Tesla was forced to suspend production of the model. Despite this, the value of the enterprise on the stock exchange is now estimated at more than $ 70 billion.
In 2017, Musk shared another visionary idea with the world, presenting the Tesla Semi electric truck concept. Production is due to start in 2019. Operating costs, Musk promises, will be at least 20 percent lower than a typical diesel tractor of the same size.
Solar Roof by Tesla and SolarCity
Musk has also invested in solar power plant SolarCity. Since 2016, it has been owned by Tesla. According to the plans, the company should equip more than 300,000 homes with solar panels. According to Musk's idea, the energy received through the roof is stored in a special Powerwall from Tesla.
Thus, it will be possible to charge your own electric car as well.
Musk himself introduced Powerwall back in 2015. It is a compact lithium-ion battery that can be operated with a smartphone. However, here, too, due to delays in production, the plans for market sales have not yet been realized. The battery is being made at the so-called Gigafactory in the Nevada desert.
Hyperloop
The Hyperloop vacuum train project attracted worldwide attention in 2013. The concept develops the classic idea of a pneumatic post. According to Musk's calculations, the hyperloop will make it possible to cover distances of up to 1,200 kilometers much faster and with less harm to the environment than by plane or train. Critics, however, have questioned the project's sustainability and financial viability.
New dimensions of communication
However, this is not all. In 2016, Musk co-founded Neuralink. The startup is working to create a device that will allow communication between the human brain and computers. True, the project is still very far from achieving its goal.
