Elon Musk’s Martian dreams are a boon to the U.S. military

Experts say SpaceX has leapfrogged so far ahead in several critical technologies that it could deter major rivals like China from engaging in a war with the United States .

The Pentagon is eyeing its 165-ton carrying capacity for rapid transport of troops and gear to Asia in case of war.

SpaceX’s value has jumped to around $350 billion from $210 billion earlier this year .

SpaceX has constructed Starlink, the world’s largest satellite network with about 6,400 satellites, in just five years .

Starlink is building out a next-generation network of surveillance satellites for government use, jostling with more established players like Maxar Technologies and Planet Labs.

The U.S. government has already shifted some communications to Starlink 's encrypted government service, Starshield .

The company's giant rocket, Starship , will become the most valuable part of the business.

NASA is investing $4 billion into Starship , with plans to use the rocket to return astronauts to the moon.

In October , SpaceX successfully “caught’s first stage, Super Heavy , proving the massive system can be reusable.

That suggests a dramatic drop in launch costs.