He's been smart at self-promotion and growing (certain kinds of) businesses. But when it comes to non-executive work he did himself, he did a completely mediocre internet directory, and that's about it. No-one would have heard of him if he didn't go into the business side.

Things like space datacenters are probably just part of the promotion side. It pumps up share prices for a gullible public. Where's he's been clever is in creating companies that do enough real things to convince many people that he might be able to pull off the unrealistic things as well.