Elon Musk, founder and chief executive of Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX), has seen his net worth rise from $680 million last October to $2 billion this year, earning him a spot on the 2012 Forbes Billionaires List, the magazine reports.

Musk benefited from a 30 percent increase in the stock price of his electric car company, Tesla Motors, which accounts for $1 billion of his net worth. His stakes in SpaceX and Solar City, a company that designs, finances and installs solar panels and systems, represent the other $1 billion.

“Musk thinks big and isn’t bothered by what might halt lesser risk-takers,” Forbes says. “Musk detailed to a conference outside San Francisco several years ago his vision for interplanetary living. Given his track record with other risky bets so far, Musk might just make it happen.”

READ IT AT: [Forbes]