SpaceX#Falcon launch vehicles

{{Main|History of SpaceX}}

{{See also|List of Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches}}

In early 2001, Elon Musk met Robert Zubrin and donated {{USD|100,000|long=no}} to his Mars Society, joining its board of directors for a short time.{{Cite book |last=Zubrin |first=Robert |title=The Case for Space: How the Revolution in Spaceflight Opens Up a Future of Limitless Possibility |date=May 14, 2019 |publisher=Prometheus Books |isbn=978-1-63388-534-9 |location=Amherst, New York |oclc=1053572666 |author-link=Robert Zubrin}}{{Rp|pages=30–31}} He gave a plenary talk at their fourth convention where he announced Mars Oasis, a project to land a greenhouse and grow plants on Mars.{{cite web|title=The Mars Society Inc. Fourth International Convention|author=Mars Society|date=August 23, 2001|access-date=August 23, 2021|publisher=Mars Society|url=https://marspedia.org/images/9/99/2001_TMS_Conv_Sched.pdf|archive-date=March 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330080642/https://marspedia.org/images/9/99/2001_TMS_Conv_Sched.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite web |author=Musk |first=Elon |date=May 30, 2009 |title=Risky Business |url=https://spectrum.ieee.org/elon-musk-spacex |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223012225/http://spectrum.ieee.org/aerospace/space-flight/risky-business |archive-date=February 23, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=IEEE Spectrum}} Musk initially attempted to acquire a Dnepr launch vehicle for the project through Russian contacts from Jim Cantrell.{{cite web |author=Cowing |first=Keith |date=August 30, 2001 |title=Millionaires and billionaires: the secret to sending humans to Mars? |url=http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewnews.html?id=383 |access-date=March 1, 2022 |publisher=SPACEREF}}{{dead link|date=August 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

Musk returned with his team to Moscow, this time bringing Michael Griffin, who later became the 11th Administrator of NASA, but found the Russians increasingly unreceptive.{{cite web |author=Chaikin |first=Andrew |date=January 2012 |title=Is SpaceX Changing the Rocket Equation? |url=http://www.airspacemag.com/space/is-spacex-changing-the-rocket-equation-132285884/?no-ist |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223105751/http://www.airspacemag.com/space/is-spacex-changing-the-rocket-equation-132285884/?no-ist |archive-date=February 23, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=Air & Space Smithsonian}}{{cite news |author=Vance |first=Ashlee |author-link=Ashlee Vance |date=May 14, 2015 |title=Elon Musk's space dream almost killed Tesla |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2015-elon-musk-spacex/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211071545/https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2015-elon-musk-spacex/ |archive-date=February 11, 2018 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=Bloomberg L. P.}} On the flight home, Musk announced he could start a company to build the affordable rockets they needed instead. By applying vertical integration, using inexpensive commercial off-the-shelf components when possible, and adopting the modular approach of modern software engineering, Musk believed SpaceX could significantly cut launch costs.

In early 2002, Elon Musk started to look for staff for his company, soon to be named SpaceX. Musk approached five people for the initial positions at the fledgling company, including Griffin, who declined the position of Chief Engineer,{{Cite book|last=Berger|first=Eric|author-link=Eric Berger (meteorologist)| title=Liftoff|publisher=William Morrow and Company|year=2021|isbn=978-0-06-297997-1}}{{rp|11}} Jim Cantrell and John Garvey (Cantrell and Garvey later founded the company Vector Launch), rocket engineer Tom Mueller, and Chris Thompson.{{r|Liftoff2021}}{{cite news |author=Belfiore |first=Michael |date=September 1, 2009 |title=Behind the Scenes With the World's Most Ambitious Rocket Makers |url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a5073/4328638/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213161703/http://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a5073/4328638/ |archive-date=December 13, 2016 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |newspaper=Popular Mechanics}} SpaceX was first headquartered in a warehouse in El Segundo, California. Early SpaceX employees, such as Tom Mueller (CTO), Gwynne Shotwell (COO), and Chris Thompson (VP of Operations), came from neighboring TRW and Boeing corporations. By November 2005, the company had 160 employees.[https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/space/podcast-spacex-coo-prospects-starship-launcher Podcast: SpaceX COO On Prospects For Starship Launcher] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610030402/https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/space/podcast-spacex-coo-prospects-starship-launcher|date=June 10, 2020}}. Aviation Week, Irene Klotz, May 27, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2020. Musk personally interviewed and approved all of SpaceX's early employees.{{r|Liftoff2021| p=22}}

Musk has stated that one of his goals with SpaceX is to decrease the cost and improve the reliability of access to space, ultimately by a factor of ten.{{cite web|title=Space Exploration Technologies Corporation|url=http://www.spacex.com/press.php?page=20100616|publisher=SpaceX|access-date=December 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623215759/http://www.spacex.com/press.php?page=20100616 |archive-date=June 23, 2013}}

{{Main|Falcon 1}}

File:Falcon 1 Flight 4 liftoff.jpg launch in September 2008]]

SpaceX developed its first orbital launch vehicle, the Falcon 1, with internal funding.{{cite news |first=Kevin |last=Maney |url=https://www.usatoday.com/educate/college/careers/Entreps/6-17-05.htm |title=Private sector enticing public into final frontier |date=June 17, 2005 |work=USA Today |access-date=March 14, 2021 |archive-date=May 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519074009/http://www.usatoday.com/educate/college/careers/Entreps/6-17-05.htm |url-status=live }}{{cite news|last=Hoffman|first=Carl|title=Elon Musk Is Betting His Fortune on a Mission Beyond Earth's Orbit|url=https://www.wired.com/science/space/magazine/15-06/ff_space_musk?currentPage=all|access-date=March 14, 2014|newspaper=Wired|date=May 22, 2007|archive-date=November 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114052527/http://www.wired.com/science/space/magazine/15-06/ff_space_musk?currentPage=all|url-status=live}} The Falcon 1 was an expendable two-stage-to-orbit small-lift launch vehicle. The total development cost of Falcon 1 was approximately {{USD|90 million|long=no}}{{cite web |title=Commercial Market Assessment for Crew and Cargo Systems |url=http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/Section403(b)CommercialMarketAssessmentReportFinal.pdf |website=nasa.gov |publisher=NASA |access-date=June 10, 2015 |page=40 |date=April 27, 2011 |quote=SpaceX has publicly indicated that the development cost for Falcon 9 launch vehicle was approximately $300{{spaces}}million. Additionally, approximately $90{{spaces}}million was spent developing the Falcon 1 launch vehicle which did contribute to some extent to the Falcon 9, for a total of $390{{spaces}}million. NASA has verified these costs. |archive-date=December 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207085554/http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/files/Section403(b)CommercialMarketAssessmentReportFinal.pdf |url-status=live }} to {{USD|100 million|long=no}}.{{r|Liftoff2021| p=215}}

The Falcon rocket series was named after Star Wars{{'}}s Millennium Falcon fictional spacecraft.{{Cite web |last=Ray |first=Justin |date=January 20, 2005 |title=Cape launch site could host new commercial rocket fleet |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/falcon/050120lc36/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=spaceflightnow.com |archive-date=October 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014082850/https://spaceflightnow.com/falcon/050120lc36/ |url-status=live }}

In 2004, SpaceX protested against NASA to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) because of a sole-source contract awarded to Kistler Aerospace. Before the GAO could respond, NASA withdrew the contract, and formed the COTS program.{{r|Liftoff2021| p=109–110}}{{Cite web |last=Berger |first=Brian |date=October 3, 2005 |title=Kistler Teeters on the Brink After Main Investor Withdraws Support |url=https://spacenews.com/kistler-teeters-brink-after-main-investor-withdraws-support/ |access-date=October 7, 2023 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US |archive-date=April 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403194345/https://spacenews.com/kistler-teeters-brink-after-main-investor-withdraws-support/ |url-status=live }} In 2005, SpaceX announced plans to pursue a human-rated commercial space program through the end of the decade, a program that would later become the Dragon spacecraft.{{cite magazine |author=Belfiore |first=Michael |date=January 18, 2005 |title=Race for Next Space Prize Ignites |url=https://www.wired.com/news/space/0%2C2697%2C66308%2C00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012095048/https://www.wired.com/news/space/0%2C2697%2C66308%2C00.html |archive-date=October 12, 2008 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |magazine=Wired}} In 2006, the company was selected by NASA and awarded {{USD|396 million|long=no}} to provide crew and cargo resupply demonstration contracts to the International Space Station (ISS) under the COTS program.{{cite news |last1=Berger |first1=Eric |title=This is probably why Blue Origin keeps protesting NASA's lunar lander award |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/08/this-is-probably-why-blue-origin-keeps-protesting-nasas-lunar-lander-award/ |access-date=December 30, 2021 |work=Ars Technica |date=August 11, 2021 |language=en-us |archive-date=December 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230172145/https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/08/this-is-probably-why-blue-origin-keeps-protesting-nasas-lunar-lander-award/ |url-status=live }}

The first two Falcon 1 launches were purchased by the United States Department of Defense under the DARPA Falcon Project which evaluated new U.S. launch vehicles suitable for use in hypersonic missile delivery for Prompt Global Strike.{{cite news |url=http://www.satnews.com/stories2007/4156/ |publisher=Satnews.com |title=Falcon 1 Reaches Space But Loses Control and is Destroyed on Re-Entry |date=March 21, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928204503/http://www.satnews.com/stories2007/4156/ |archive-date=September 28, 2007 }}Graham Warwick and Guy Norris, "Blue Sky Thinking: DARPA at 50," Aviation Week & Space Technology, Aug 18–25, 2008, p. 18. The first three launches of the rocket, between 2006 and 2008, all resulted in failures, which almost ended the company. Financing for Tesla Motors had failed, as well,{{cite news |last1=Levin |first1=Steve |title=Elon Musk, man behind Tesla, Paypal, speaks to packed crowd at CSUB |url=https://www.bakersfield.com/news/elon-musk-man-behind-tesla-paypal-speaks-to-packed-crowd-at-csub/article_8b815494-fefe-511c-8d0c-b6aa61601c0b.html |access-date=January 12, 2022 |work=The Bakersfield Californian |date=January 12, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220112031331/https://www.bakersfield.com/news/elon-musk-man-behind-tesla-paypal-speaks-to-packed-crowd-at-csub/article_8b815494-fefe-511c-8d0c-b6aa61601c0b.html |url-status=live }} and consequently Tesla, SolarCity, and Musk personally were all nearly bankrupt at the same time.{{r|Liftoff2021| p=178–182}} Musk was reportedly "waking from nightmares, screaming and in physical pain" because of the stress.{{r|Liftoff2021| p=216}}

The financial situation started to turn around with the first successful launch achieved on the fourth attempt on September 28, 2008. Musk split his remaining {{USD|30 million|long=no}} between SpaceX and Tesla, and NASA awarded the first Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract awarding {{USD|1.6 billion|long=no}} to SpaceX in December, thus financially saving the company.{{r|Liftoff2021| p=217–221}} Based on these factors and the further business operations they enabled, the Falcon 1 was soon retired following its second successful, and fifth total, launch in July 2009. This allowed SpaceX to focus company resources on the development of a larger orbital rocket, the Falcon 9.{{cite web |last1=Graham |first1=William |title=SpaceX at 50 – From taming Falcon 1 to achieving cadence in Falcon 9 |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/12/spacex-50-taming-falcon-1-achieving-cadence-falcon-9/ |website=NASASpaceFlight.com |access-date=March 16, 2021 |date=December 20, 2017 |archive-date=December 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231213716/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/12/spacex-50-taming-falcon-1-achieving-cadence-falcon-9/ |url-status=live }} Gwynne Shotwell was also promoted to company president at the time, for her role in successfully negotiating the CRS contract with the NASA Associate Administrator Bill Gerstenmaier.{{cite news |last1=Bergin |first1=Chris |title= Planetspace officially protest NASA's CRS selection |url= https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/01/planetspace-officially-protest-nasas-crs-selection/ |access-date=August 22, 2023 |work=NSF |date=January 15, 2009}}{{r|Liftoff2021| p=222}}

File:SpaceX Falcon 9 Flight 1 launch.ogv

SpaceX originally intended to follow its light Falcon 1 launch vehicle with an intermediate capacity vehicle, the Falcon 5.{{cite web|last=David|first=Leonard|title=SpaceX tackles reusable heavy launch vehicle|date=September 9, 2005 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/9262092|publisher=MSNBC|access-date=March 14, 2021|archive-date=May 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521101625/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna9262092|url-status=dead}} The company instead decided in 2005 to proceed with the development of the Falcon 9, a reusable heavier lift vehicle. Development of the Falcon 9 was accelerated by NASA, which committed to purchasing several commercial flights if specific capabilities were demonstrated. This started with seed money from the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program in 2006.{{citation-attribution|1={{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/453605main_Commercial_Space_Minutes_4_26_2010.pdf|title=Minutes of the NAC Commercial Space Committee|date=April 26, 2010|author=David J. Frankel|publisher=NASA|access-date=June 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313043013/https://www.nasa.gov/pdf/453605main_Commercial_Space_Minutes_4_26_2010.pdf|archive-date=March 13, 2017 |url-status=live}} }} The overall contract award was {{USD|278 million|long=no}} to provide development funding for the Dragon spacecraft, Falcon 9, and demonstration launches of Falcon 9 with Dragon. As part of this contract, the Falcon 9 launched for the first time in June 2010 with the Dragon Spacecraft Qualification Unit, using a mockup of the Dragon spacecraft.

The first operational Dragon spacecraft was launched in December 2010 aboard COTS Demo Flight 1, the Falcon 9's second flight, and safely returned to Earth after two orbits, completing all its mission objectives.{{cite web|title=Private space capsule's maiden voyage ends with a splash|work=BBC News|date=December 8, 2010|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11948329|access-date=March 1, 2017|archive-date=November 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161115123326/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11948329|url-status=live}} By December 2010, the SpaceX production line was manufacturing one Falcon 9 and Dragon every three months.{{cite web |author=Chow |first=Denise |date=December 8, 2010 |title=Q & A with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk: Master of Private Space Dragons |url=https://www.space.com/10443-spacex-ceo-elon-musk-master-private-space-dragons.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818154057/https://www.space.com/10443-spacex-ceo-elon-musk-master-private-space-dragons.html |archive-date=August 18, 2017 |access-date=June 24, 2017 |website=Space.com}}

In April 2011, as part of its second-round Commercial Crew Development (CCDev) program, NASA issued a {{USD|75 million|long=no}} contract for SpaceX to develop an integrated launch escape system for Dragon in preparation for human-rating it as a crew transport vehicle to the ISS.{{cite web |author=Chow |first=Denise |date=April 18, 2011 |title=Private Spaceship Builders Split Nearly $270{{spaces}}Million in NASA Funds |url=http://www.space.com/11421-nasa-private-spaceship-funding-astronauts.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111231133929/http://www.space.com/11421-nasa-private-spaceship-funding-astronauts.html |archive-date=December 31, 2011 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |website=Space.com}} NASA awarded SpaceX a fixed-price Space Act Agreement (SAA) to produce a detailed design of the crew transportation system in August 2012.{{cite web |url=https://science.house.gov/sites/republicans.science.house.gov/files/documents/HHRG-115-SY16-WState-HKoenigsmann-20180117.pdf|title=Statement of Dr. Hans Koeningsmann Vice President, Build and Flight Reliability Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX)|last=Koenigsmann|first=Hans|date=January 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180923081317/https://science.house.gov/sites/republicans.science.house.gov/files/documents/HHRG-115-SY16-WState-HKoenigsmann-20180117.pdf|archive-date=September 23, 2018}}

In early 2012, approximately two-thirds of SpaceX stock was owned by Musk{{cite web |author=Melby |first=Caleb |date=March 12, 2012 |title=How Elon Musk Became A Billionaire Twice Over |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/calebmelby/2012/03/12/how-elon-musk-became-a-billionaire-twice-over/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306042204/https://www.forbes.com/sites/calebmelby/2012/03/12/how-elon-musk-became-a-billionaire-twice-over/ |archive-date=March 6, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |work=Forbes}} and his seventy million shares were then estimated to be worth {{USD|875 million|long=no}} on private markets,{{cite news |date=February 11, 2012 |title=Elon Musk Anticipates Third IPO in Three Years With SpaceX |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-02-09/musk-sees-good-chance-of-spacex-stock-offering-by-next-year |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721114244/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-02-09/musk-sees-good-chance-of-spacex-stock-offering-by-next-year |archive-date=July 21, 2016 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=Bloomberg L. P.}} valuing SpaceX at {{USD|1.3 billion|long=no}}.{{cite web |author=Watts |first=Jane |date=April 27, 2012 |title=Elon Musk on Why SpaceX Has the Right Stuff to Win the Space Race |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2012/04/27/elon-musk-on-why-spacex-has-the-right-stuff-to-win-the-space-race.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161216213440/http://www.cnbc.com/id/47207833 |archive-date=December 16, 2016 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=CNBC}} In May 2012, with the Dragon C2+ launch, Dragon became the first commercial spacecraft to deliver cargo to the International Space Station. After the flight, the company private equity valuation nearly doubled to {{USD|2.4 billion|long=no}} or {{USD|20|long=no}}/share.{{cite web|website=privco.com|title=Privately-held SpaceX Worth Nearly $2.4{{spaces}}Billion or $20/Share, Double Its Pre-Mission Secondary Market Value Following Historic Success at the International Space Station|url=http://www.privco.com/privately-held-spacex-worth-nearly-5-billion-or-20-share-double-its-pre-mission-secondary-market-pricing-following-historic-success-at-the-international-space-station|date=June 7, 2012|access-date=March 1, 2017|archive-date=August 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806214559/http://www.privco.com/privately-held-spacex-worth-nearly-5-billion-or-20-share-double-its-pre-mission-secondary-market-pricing-following-historic-success-at-the-international-space-station}}{{cite web |author=Bilton |first=Ricardo |date=June 10, 2012 |title=SpaceX's worth skyrockets to $4.8{{spaces}}billion after successful mission |url=https://venturebeat.com/2012/06/07/privco-spacexs-worth-skyrockets-to-4-8-billion-after-successful-mission/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306125528/http://venturebeat.com/2012/06/07/privco-spacexs-worth-skyrockets-to-4-8-billion-after-successful-mission/ |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=VentureBeat}} By that time, SpaceX had operated on total funding of approximately {{USD|1 billion|long=no}} over its first decade of operation. Of this, private equity provided approximately {{USD|200 million|long=no}}, with Musk investing approximately {{USD|100 million|long=no}} and other investors having put in about {{USD|100 million|long=no}}.{{cite web|title=SpaceX overview on second market |publisher=SecondMarket|url=https://www.secondmarket.com/company/spacex|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121217191301/https://www.secondmarket.com/company/spacex|archive-date=December 17, 2012}}

SpaceX's active reusability test program began in late 2012 with testing low-altitude, low-speed aspects of the landing technology. The Falcon 9 prototypes performed vertical takeoffs and landings (VTOL). High-velocity, high-altitude tests of the booster atmospheric return technology began in late 2013.{{cite news |last1=Fernholz |first1=Tim |title=The complete visual history of SpaceX's single-minded pursuit of rocket reusability |url=https://qz.com/1016072/a-multimedia-history-of-every-single-one-of-spacexs-attempts-to-land-its-booster-rocket-back-on-earth/ |access-date=March 16, 2021 |work=Quartz |language=en |archive-date=March 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312230832/https://qz.com/1016072/a-multimedia-history-of-every-single-one-of-spacexs-attempts-to-land-its-booster-rocket-back-on-earth/ |url-status=live }}

File:Launch of Falcon 9 carrying ORBCOMM OG2-M1 (16601442698).jpg-M1, July 2014]]

SpaceX launched the first commercial mission for a private customer in 2013. In 2014, SpaceX won nine contracts out of the 20 that were openly competed worldwide.{{cite web |author=de Selding |first=Peter B. |date=January 12, 2015 |title=Arianespace, SpaceX Battled to a Draw for 2014 Launch Contracts |url=http://spacenews.com/chart-arianespace-spacex-battled-to-a-draw-for-2014-launch-contracts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150113095457/http://spacenews.com/chart-arianespace-spacex-battled-to-a-draw-for-2014-launch-contracts/ |archive-date=January 13, 2015 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=SpaceNews}} That year Arianespace requested that European governments provide additional subsidies to face the competition from SpaceX.{{cite web |author=Svitak |first=Amy |date=February 11, 2014 |title=Arianespace To ESA: We Need Help |url=http://aviationweek.com/space/arianespace-esa-we-need-help |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305200010/http://aviationweek.com/space/arianespace-esa-we-need-help |archive-date=March 5, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |work=Aviation Week}}{{cite web |author=de Selding |first=Peter B. |date=April 14, 2014 |title=Satellite Operators Press ESA for Reduction in Ariane Launch Costs |url=https://spacenews.com/40193satellite-operators-press-esa-for-reduction-in-ariane-launch-costs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802163706/https://spacenews.com/40193satellite-operators-press-esa-for-reduction-in-ariane-launch-costs/ |archive-date=August 2, 2023 |access-date=November 24, 2022 |publisher=SpaceNews}} Beginning in 2014, SpaceX capabilities and pricing also began to affect the market for launch of U.S. military payloads, which for nearly a decade had been dominated by the large U.S. launch provider United Launch Alliance (ULA).{{cite web |author=Petersen |first=Melody |date=November 25, 2014 |title=SpaceX may upset firm's monopoly in launching Air Force satellites |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-spacex-satellites-20141126-story.html#page=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421194744/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-spacex-satellites-20141126-story.html#page=1 |archive-date=April 21, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}} The monopoly had allowed launch costs by the U.S. provider to rise to over {{USD|400 million|long=no}} over the years.{{cite news|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/06/air-force-budget-reveals-how-much-spacex-undercuts-launch-prices/|title=Air Force budget reveals how much SpaceX undercuts launch prices|publisher=Ars Technica|access-date=March 29, 2018|archive-date=January 17, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117040352/https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/06/air-force-budget-reveals-how-much-spacex-undercuts-launch-prices/|url-status=live}} In September 2014, NASA's Director of Commercial Spaceflight, Kevin Crigler, awarded SpaceX the Commercial Crew Transportation Capability (CCtCap) contract to finalize the development of the Crew Transportation System. The contract included several technical and certification milestones, an uncrewed flight test, a crewed flight test, and six operational missions after certification.

In January 2015, SpaceX raised {{USD|1 billion|long=no}} in funding from Google and Fidelity Investments, in exchange for 8.33% of the company, establishing the company valuation at approximately {{USD|12 billion|long=no}}.{{cite web |author=Berger |first=Brian |date=January 20, 2015 |title=SpaceX Confirms Google Investment |url=http://spacenews.com/spacex-confirms-google-investment/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220155735/https://spacenews.com/spacex-confirms-google-investment/ |archive-date=February 20, 2023 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=SpaceNews}} The same month SpaceX announced the development of a new satellite constellation, called Starlink, to provide global broadband internet service with 4,000 satellites.{{cite web|first1=Cecilia |last1=Kang |first2=Christian |last2=Davenport |title=SpaceX founder files with government to provide Internet service from space |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/spacex-founder-files-with-government-to-provide-internet-service-from-space/2015/06/09/db8d8d02-0eb7-11e5-a0dc-2b6f404ff5cf_story.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=June 9, 2015|access-date=March 1, 2017|archive-date=February 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170223183501/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/spacex-founder-files-with-government-to-provide-internet-service-from-space/2015/06/09/db8d8d02-0eb7-11e5-a0dc-2b6f404ff5cf_story.html|url-status=live}}

The Falcon 9 had its first major failure in late June 2015, when the seventh ISS resupply mission, CRS-7 exploded two minutes into the flight. The problem was traced to a failed two-foot-long steel strut that held a helium pressure vessel, which broke free due to the force of acceleration. This caused a breach and allowed high-pressure helium to escape into the low-pressure propellant tank, causing the failure.{{cite web |author=Masunaga |first1=Samantha |last2=Petersen |first2=Melody |date=September 2, 2016 |title=SpaceX rocket exploded in an instant. Figuring out why involves a mountain of data |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-spacex-investigation-20160902-snap-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219040426/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-spacex-investigation-20160902-snap-story.html |archive-date=February 19, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}

File:CRS-8 (26239020092).jpg (ASDS) barge after the first successful landing at sea, SpaceX CRS-8 mission]]

SpaceX first achieved a successful landing and recovery of a first stage in December 2015 with Falcon 9 Flight 20.{{cite web |author=Musk |first=Elon |date=December 21, 2015 |title=Background on tonight's launch |url=http://www.spacex.com/news/2015/12/21/background-tonights-launch |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308172650/http://www.spacex.com/news/2015/12/21/background-tonights-launch |archive-date=March 8, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=SpaceX}} In April 2016, the company achieved the first successful landing on the autonomous spaceport drone ship (ASDS) Of Course I Still Love You in the Atlantic Ocean.{{cite news |last1=Wright |first1=Robert |title=SpaceX rocket lands on drone ship |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2016/04/09/spacex-rocket-lands-on-drone-ship.html |access-date=March 16, 2021 |publisher=CNBC |date=April 9, 2016 |language=en |archive-date=September 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921055220/https://www.cnbc.com/2016/04/09/spacex-rocket-lands-on-drone-ship.html |url-status=live }} By October 2016, following the successful landings, SpaceX indicated they were offering their customers a 10% price discount if they choose to fly their payload on a reused Falcon 9 first stage.{{cite web |author=de Selding |first=Peter B. |date=October 5, 2016 |title=SpaceX's Shotwell on Falcon 9 inquiry, discounts for reused rockets and Silicon Valley's test-and-fail ethos |url=http://spacenews.com/spacexs-shotwell-on-falcon-9-inquiry-discounts-for-reused-rockets-and-silicon-valleys-test-and-fail-ethos/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20161017122758/http://spacenews.com/spacexs-shotwell-on-falcon-9-inquiry-discounts-for-reused-rockets-and-silicon-valleys-test-and-fail-ethos/ |archive-date=October 17, 2016 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=SpaceNews}}

A second major rocket failure happened in early September 2016, when a Falcon 9 exploded during a propellant fill operation for a standard pre-launch static fire test. The payload, the AMOS-6 communications satellite valued at {{USD|200 million|long=no}}, was destroyed.{{cite web |author=Santana |first=Marco |date=September 6, 2016 |title=SpaceX customer vows to rebuild satellite in explosion aftermath |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/space/go-for-launch/os-spacex-spacecom-answers-20160906-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216160435/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/space/go-for-launch/os-spacex-spacecom-answers-20160906-story.html |archive-date=February 16, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel}} The explosion was caused by the liquid oxygen that is used as propellant turning so cold that it solidified and ignited with carbon composite helium vessels.{{cite web |author=Grush |first=Loren |date=November 5, 2016 |title=Elon Musk says SpaceX finally knows what caused the latest rocket failure |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/11/5/13533900/elon-musk-spacex-falcon-9-failure-cause-solved |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170219013804/http://www.theverge.com/2016/11/5/13533900/elon-musk-spacex-falcon-9-failure-cause-solved |archive-date=February 19, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=The Verge}} Though not considered an unsuccessful flight, the rocket explosion sent the company into a four-month launch hiatus while it worked out what went wrong. SpaceX returned to flight in January 2017.{{cite web |url=http://www.spacex.com/news/2016/09/01/anomaly-updates|title=Anomaly Updates|publisher=SpaceX|date=September 1, 2016|access-date=March 1, 2017|archive-date=February 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216160231/http://www.spacex.com/news/2016/09/01/anomaly-updates}}

In March 2017, SpaceX launched a returned Falcon 9 for the SES-10 satellite. This was the first time a re-launch of a payload-carrying orbital rocket went back to space.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/03/30/elon-musks-spacex-makes-history-by-launching-a-flight-proven-rocket/|first1=Christian|last1=Davenport|url-access=subscription|title=Elon Musk's SpaceX makes history by launching a 'flight-proven' rocket|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=March 30, 2017|access-date=March 31, 2017|archive-date=March 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331015137/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/03/30/elon-musks-spacex-makes-history-by-launching-a-flight-proven-rocket/|url-status=live}} The first stage was recovered again, also making it the first landing of a reused orbital class rocket.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/spacex-successfully-launches-lands-recycled-falcon-9-rocket-n740226|title=SpaceX successfully launches, lands a recycled rocket.|publisher=NBC News|access-date=March 31, 2017|archive-date=March 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331004317/http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/spacex-successfully-launches-lands-recycled-falcon-9-rocket-n740226|url-status=live}}

In July 2017, the company raised {{USD|350 million|long=no}}, which raised its valuation to {{USD|21 billion|long=no}}.{{cite news|date=July 27, 2017|title=SpaceX Is Now One of the World's Most Valuable Privately Held Companies|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/27/technology/spacex-is-now-one-of-the-worlds-most-valuable-privately-held-companies.html/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171129115140/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/27/technology/spacex-is-now-one-of-the-worlds-most-valuable-privately-held-companies.html|archive-date=November 29, 2017|access-date=November 16, 2017|newspaper=The New York Times}} In 2017, SpaceX achieved a 45% global market share for awarded commercial launch contracts.{{cite news|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/07/as-the-spacex-steamroller-surges-european-rocket-industry-vows-to-resist/?amp=1|title=As the SpaceX steamroller surges, European rocket industry vows to resist|date=July 20, 2018|access-date=July 21, 2018|archive-date=July 20, 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180720141110/https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/07/as-the-spacex-steamroller-surges-european-rocket-industry-vows-to-resist/?amp=1|url-status=live}} By March 2018, SpaceX had more than 100 launches on its manifest representing about {{USD|12 billion|long=no}} in contract revenue.{{cite news|url=http://www.spacex.com/about|title=Company|last=spacexcmsadmin |date=November 27, 2012|publisher=SpaceX|access-date=March 29, 2018|archive-date=February 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222061801/http://www.spacex.com/about}} The contracts included both commercial and government (NASA/DOD) customers.{{cite web |title=Company {{!}} SpaceX |work=SpaceX |date=November 27, 2012 |url=http://www.spacex.com/about |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222061801/http://www.spacex.com/about |archive-date=February 22, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |author1=Spacexcmsadmin }} This made SpaceX the leading global commercial launch provider measured by manifested launches.{{cite web |url=https://www.hq.nasa.gov/legislative/hearings/7-13-17%20HUGHES.pdf|title=Statement of Tim Hughes Senior Vice President for Global Business and Government Affairs Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX)|last=Hughes|first=Tim|date=July 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023122656/https://www.hq.nasa.gov/legislative/hearings/7-13-17%20HUGHES.pdf|archive-date=October 23, 2017 |url-status=live}}

In 2017, SpaceX formed a subsidiary, The Boring Company,[http://hawthorne-ca.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=&event_id=490&meta_id=35783 Agenda Item No. 9, City of Hawthorne City Council, Agenda Bill] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224164217/http://hawthorne-ca.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=&event_id=490&meta_id=35783|date=February 24, 2021}}, September 11, 2018, Planning and Community Development Department, City of Hawthorne. Retrieved September 13, 2018. and began work to construct a short test tunnel on and adjacent to the SpaceX headquarters and manufacturing facility, using a small number of SpaceX employees,{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-elon-musk-boring-company-20171121-story.html|title=Elon Musk's tunneling company wants to dig through L.A.|first=Laura J.|last=Nelson|website=Los Angeles Times|date=November 21, 2017|access-date=September 13, 2018|archive-date=March 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327084136/http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-elon-musk-boring-company-20171121-story.html|url-status=live}} which was completed in May 2018,{{cite web|url=https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2018/05/11/elon-musk-la-traffic-tunnel-nearly-complete/ |title=Nothing "Boring" About Elon Musk's Newly Revealed Underground Tunnel|date=May 11, 2018|website=cbslocal.com|access-date=February 2, 2019|archive-date=December 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203163806/https://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2018/05/11/elon-musk-la-traffic-tunnel-nearly-complete/|url-status=live}} and opened to the public in December 2018. During 2018, The Boring Company was spun out into a separate corporate entity with 6% of the equity going to SpaceX, less than 10% to early employees, and the remainder of the equity to Elon Musk.{{cite news|last=Copeland|first=Rob|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musks-new-boring-co-faced-questions-over-spacex-financial-ties-11545078371|title=Elon Musk's New Boring Co. Faced Questions Over SpaceX Financial Ties|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=December 17, 2018|access-date=December 18, 2018|quote=When the Boring Co. was earlier this year spun into its own firm, more than 90% of the equity went to Mr. Musk and the rest to early employees... The Boring Co. has since given some equity to SpaceX as compensation for the help... about 6% of Boring stock, "based on the value of land, time and other resources contributed since the creation of the company".|archive-date=December 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218044810/https://www.wsj.com/articles/elon-musks-new-boring-co-faced-questions-over-spacex-financial-ties-11545078371|url-status=live}}

In 2019 SpaceX raised {{USD|1.33 billion|long=no}} of capital across three funding rounds.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/21/spacex-raising-250-million-elon-musks-company-valuation-36-billion.html|title=SpaceX is looking to raise about $250{{spaces}}million, valuing Elon Musk's space company at $36{{spaces}}billion|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|publisher=CNBC|date=February 21, 2020|access-date=May 15, 2020|archive-date=May 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529204116/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/21/spacex-raising-250-million-elon-musks-company-valuation-36-billion.html|url-status=live}} By May 2019, the valuation of SpaceX had risen to {{USD|33.3 billion|long=no}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/31/spacex-valuation-33point3-billion-after-starlink-satellites-fundraising.html|title=SpaceX valuation rises to $33.3{{spaces}}billion as investors look to satellite opportunity|publisher=CNBC|date=May 31, 2019|access-date=June 17, 2019|archive-date=June 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611234718/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/31/spacex-valuation-33point3-billion-after-starlink-satellites-fundraising.html|url-status=live}} and reached {{USD|36 billion|long=no}} by March 2020.{{cite web|last1=Cao|first1=Sissi |title=As SpaceX Reaches $36 Billion Valuation, Elon Musk Clarifies Starlink IPO Rumors|date=March 10, 2020 |url=https://observer.com/2020/03/spacex-elon-musk-clarify-starlink-ipo-plan/|work=Observer|access-date=May 29, 2020 |archive-date=June 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617193654/https://observer.com/2020/03/spacex-elon-musk-clarify-starlink-ipo-plan/|url-status=live}}

On August 19, 2020, after a {{USD|1.9 billion|long=no}} funding round, one of the largest single fundraising pushes by any privately held company, SpaceX's valuation increased to {{USD|46 billion|long=no}}.{{cite news|title=Elon Musk's SpaceX raises $1.9{{spaces}}billion in funding|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spacex-funding-idUSKCN25E26E|work=Reuters|date=August 19, 2020|access-date=August 20, 2020|archive-date=August 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820203147/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-spacex-funding-idUSKCN25E26E|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Wattles|first1=Jackie|title=SpaceX is now a $46{{spaces}}billion 'unicorn'|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/19/tech/spacex-valuation-46-billion-scn/index.html|publisher=CNN Business|access-date=August 20, 2020|archive-date=August 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820201149/https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/19/tech/spacex-valuation-46-billion-scn/index.html|url-status=live}}

In February 2021, SpaceX raised an additional {{USD|1.61 billion|long=no}} in an equity round from 99 investors at a per share value of approximately {{USD|420|long=no}},{{cite news |title=Elon Musk's SpaceX raised $850{{spaces}}million, jumping valuation to about $74{{spaces}}billion |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/16/elon-musks-spacex-raised-850-million-at-419point99-a-share.html |last=Sheetz |first=Michael |publisher=CNBC |date=February 16, 2021 |access-date=February 17, 2021 |archive-date=February 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217003959/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/16/elon-musks-spacex-raised-850-million-at-419point99-a-share.html |url-status=live }} raising the company valuation to approximately {{USD|74 billion|long=no}}. By 2021, SpaceX had raised more than {{USD|6 billion|long=no}} in equity financing. Most of the capital raised since 2019 has been used to support the operational fielding of the Starlink satellite constellation and the development and manufacture of the Starship launch vehicle.{{cite news |title=SpaceX adds to latest funding round |url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-adds-to-latest-funding-round/ |last=Foust |first=Jeff |work=SpaceNews |date=April 15, 2021 |access-date=April 15, 2021 |archive-date=June 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210620013106/https://spacenews.com/spacex-adds-to-latest-funding-round/ |url-status=live }} By October 2021, the valuation of SpaceX had risen to {{USD|100.3 billion|long=no}}.{{cite web|last1=Sheetz|first1=Michael|title=Elon Musk's SpaceX hits $100{{spaces}}billion valuation after secondary share sale|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/08/elon-musks-spacex-valuation-100-billion.html|publisher=CNBC|date=October 8, 2021|access-date=October 30, 2021|language=en|archive-date=October 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029214353/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/08/elon-musks-spacex-valuation-100-billion.html|url-status=live}} On April 16, 2021, Starship HLS won a contract to play a critical role in the NASA crewed spaceflight Artemis program.{{cite news |title=NASA selects SpaceX to develop crewed lunar lander |url=https://spacenews.com/nasa-selects-spacex-to-develop-crewed-lunar-lander/ |last=Foust |first=Jeff |work=SpaceNews |date=April 16, 2021 |access-date=April 18, 2021 |archive-date=May 23, 2021 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20210523015710/https://spacenews.com/nasa%2Dselects%2Dspacex%2Dto%2Ddevelop%2Dcrewed%2Dlunar%2Dlander/ |url-status=live }} By 2021, SpaceX had entered into agreements with Google Cloud Platform and Microsoft Azure to provide on-ground computer and networking services for Starlink.{{Cite news |title=Google wins cloud deal from Elon Musk's SpaceX for Starlink internet connectivity |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/13/google-cloud-wins-spacex-deal-for-starlink-internet-connectivity.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210513202004/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/05/13/google-cloud-wins-spacex-deal-for-starlink-internet-connectivity.html |date=May 13, 2021 |archive-date=May 13, 2021 |last=Novet |first=Jordan |publisher=CNBC |access-date=May 14, 2021 |url-status=live }} A new round of financing in 2022 valued SpaceX at {{USD|127 billion|long=no}}.{{Cite web|title=SpaceX raises another $250{{spaces}}million in equity, lifts total to $2{{spaces}}billion in 2022|date=August 5, 2022|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/05/elon-musks-spacex-raises-250-million-in-equity.html|publisher=CNBC|access-date=August 9, 2022|archive-date=August 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809204948/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/05/elon-musks-spacex-raises-250-million-in-equity.html|url-status=live}}

In July 2021, SpaceX unveiled another drone ship named A Shortfall of Gravitas, landing a booster from CRS-23 on it for the first time on August 29, 2021.{{cite web |last=Howell |first=Elizabeth |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-drone-ship-a-shortfall-of-gravitas |title=Elon Musk unveils SpaceX's newest drone ship for rocket landings at sea |website=Space |date= July 12, 2021|access-date=February 7, 2022 |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827202150/https://www.space.com/spacex-drone-ship-a-shortfall-of-gravitas |url-status=live }} Within the first 130 days of 2022, SpaceX had 18 rocket launches and two astronaut splashdowns. On December 13, 2021, company CEO Elon Musk announced that the company was starting a carbon dioxide removal program that would convert captured carbon into rocket fuel,{{cite news|last=Whittington|first=Mark R.|date=January 9, 2022|title=SpaceX's Elon Musk is going into the carbon capture business|work=The Hill|publisher=Nexstar Media Group|url=https://thehill.com/opinion/technology/588784-spacexs-elon-musk-is-going-into-the-carbon-capture-business/|access-date=July 7, 2022|archive-date=July 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707190717/https://thehill.com/opinion/technology/588784-spacexs-elon-musk-is-going-into-the-carbon-capture-business/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Chiland|first=Elijah|date=January 24, 2022|title=SpaceX Has Big Projects in the Works for 2022|work=Los Angeles Business Journal|url=https://labusinessjournal.com/manufacturing/aerospace/big-plans-spacex-2022/|access-date=July 7, 2022|archive-date=July 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707190712/https://labusinessjournal.com/manufacturing/aerospace/big-plans-spacex-2022/|url-status=live}} after he announced a {{USD|100 million|long=no}} donation to the X Prize Foundation the previous February to provide the monetary rewards to winners in a contest to develop the best carbon capture technology.{{cite news|last=Clifford|first=Catherine|date=February 8, 2021|title=The who, what and where of Elon Musk's $100{{spaces}}million prize money for carbon capture innovation|publisher=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/08/who-what-where-of-elon-musks-100-million-prize-for-carbon-capture.html|access-date=July 7, 2022|archive-date=July 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707190714/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/08/who-what-where-of-elon-musks-100-million-prize-for-carbon-capture.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Chappell|first=Bill|date=February 8, 2021|title=Elon Musk Funds $100 Million XPrize For Pursuit Of New Carbon Removal Ideas|publisher=NPR|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/02/08/965372754/elon-musk-funds-100-million-xprize-for-pursuit-of-new-carbon-removal-ideas|access-date=July 7, 2022|archive-date=February 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224031203/https://www.npr.org/2021/02/08/965372754/elon-musk-funds-100-million-xprize-for-pursuit-of-new-carbon-removal-ideas|url-status=live}}

In August 2022, Reuters reported that the European Space Agency (ESA) began initial discussions with SpaceX that could lead to the company's launchers being used temporarily, given that Russia blocked access to Soyuz rockets amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.{{Cite news|title=Europe eyes Musk's SpaceX to replace Russian rockets|publisher=CNBC|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/12/europe-eyes-musks-spacex-to-replace-russian-rockets.html|agency=Reuters|access-date=August 12, 2022|archive-date=August 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812173935/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/12/europe-eyes-musks-spacex-to-replace-russian-rockets.html|url-status=live}} Since that invasion and in the greater war between Russia and Ukraine, Starlink was extensively used.{{Cite web |last1=Sheetz |first1=Amanda |last2=Macias |first2=Michael |date=June 1, 2023 |title=Pentagon awards SpaceX with Ukraine contract for Starlink satellite internet |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/01/pentagon-awards-spacex-with-ukraine-contract-for-starlink-satellite-internet.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915160713/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/01/pentagon-awards-spacex-with-ukraine-contract-for-starlink-satellite-internet.html |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |access-date=September 15, 2023 |website=CNBC |language=en}}

In 2022, SpaceX's Falcon 9 also became the world record holder for the most launches of a single vehicle type in a single year.{{Cite web |author1=Wall |first=Mike |date=January 4, 2023 |title=61 rocket launches! SpaceX celebrates record-breaking 2022 |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-celebrates-2022-61-launches |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230108040630/https://www.space.com/spacex-celebrates-2022-61-launches |archive-date=January 8, 2023 |access-date=January 8, 2023 |website=Space.com |language=en}}{{Cite tweet |title=Falcon 9 launched the @ImageSatIntl EROS C-3 mission to orbit overnight, completing SpaceX's 61st and final launch of 2022{{snd}}nearly double our record of 31 launches set last year |number=1608888254761422851 |user=SpaceX |access-date=January 8, 2023 |language=en}}{{Primary source inline|date=October 2023}} SpaceX launched a rocket approximately every six days in 2022, with 61 launches in total. All but one (a Falcon Heavy in November) was on a Falcon 9 rocket.

In November 2023, SpaceX announced it would acquire its parachute supplier Pioneer Aerospace out of bankruptcy for {{USD|2.2 million|long=no}}.{{Cite web |last=Carter |first=Tom |title=Elon Musk's SpaceX is buying a company that makes parachutes for spacecraft for $2.2 million |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musks-spacex-is-buying-a-spacecraft-parachute-company-2023-11 |access-date=November 30, 2023 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=November 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130151135/https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musks-spacex-is-buying-a-spacecraft-parachute-company-2023-11 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Peterson |first=Becky |url=https://www.theinformation.com/articles/spacex-acquires-parachute-maker-pioneer-aerospace-for-2-2-million |title=SpaceX Acquires Parachute Maker Pioneer Aerospace for $2.2 Million |date=November 28, 2023 |website=The Information |access-date=January 18, 2024 |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118191941/https://www.theinformation.com/articles/spacex-acquires-parachute-maker-pioneer-aerospace-for-2-2-million |url-status=live }}

On July 16, 2024, Elon Musk posted on X that SpaceX would move its headquarters from Hawthorne, California, to SpaceX Starbase in Brownsville, Texas. Musk said this was because the recently passed California AB1955 bill "and the many others that preceded it, attacking both families and companies".{{Cite tweet |number=1813290895334383820 |user=elonmusk |last=Musk |first=Elon |date=July 16, 2024 |title=This is the final straw. Because of this law and the many others that preceded it, attacking both families and companies, SpaceX will now move its HQ from Hawthorne, California, to Starbase, Texas. |access-date=July 17, 2024}} This new law in California bans school districts from requiring that teachers notify parents about changes to a student's sexual orientation and gender identity.{{Cite news |last1=Wagner |first1=Kurt |last2=Grush |first2=Loren |date=July 16, 2024 |title=Musk to Move X, SpaceX to Texas in Deepening Rightward Shift |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-16/musk-says-spacex-to-move-headquarters-to-texas-from-california |access-date=July 16, 2024 |work=Bloomberg News}} The headquarters officially moved to Brownsville, Texas in August 2024, according to records filed with the California Secretary of State.{{Cite web| title=Statement of information - Space Exploration Technologies Corp. | url=https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/api/report/GetImageByNum/121076144140115220177004255237071119031243095007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817182827/https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/api/report/GetImageByNum/121076144140115220177004255237071119031243095007 | archive-date=August 17, 2024}} The move to relocate SpaceX's headquarters was seen as largely symbolic, at least in the short term. The Hawthorne facility continues to support the company's Falcon launch vehicles, which was SpaceX's workhorse product in 2024.{{Cn|date=March 2025}}

SpaceX's 2024 Polaris Dawn mission featured the first-ever private spacewalk, marking a major milestone in commercial space exploration.{{Cite news |last=Chang |first=Kenneth |date=September 11, 2024 |title=First Private Spacewalk in SpaceX Capsule Achieves New Milestone |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/11/science/spacex-polaris-dawn-astronauts-spacewalk.html |access-date=September 21, 2024 |work=The New York Times}}

In 2025 ProPublica reported that Chinese investors had found a backdoor into SpaceX and had heavily invested in the private company through investment vehicles located in third countries like the Cayman Islands. This raised significant national security concerns.{{cite web |last1=Kaplan |first1=Joshua |last2=Elliott |first2=Justin |title=How Elon Musk's SpaceX Secretly Allows Investment From China |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/elon-musk-spacex-allows-china-investment-cayman-islands-secrecy |website=propublica.org |date=March 26, 2025 |publisher=ProPublica |access-date=March 26, 2025}}

File:Starship full stack.jpg

File:SpaceX Crew-10 launches aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Dragon spacecraft at Kennedy Space Center, FL, March 2025.jpg

In January 2019, SpaceX announced it would lay off 10% of its workforce to help finance the Starship and Starlink projects.{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/11/tech/spacex-layoffs/index.html|title=SpaceX to lay off 10% of its workers|last=Wattles|first=Jackie|date=January 11, 2019|publisher=CNN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716164723/https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/11/tech/spacex-layoffs/index.html|archive-date=July 16, 2019|url-status=live}} The purpose of the Starship vehicle is to enable large-scale transit of humans and cargo to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.{{Cite web |last1=Steve |first1=Ganyard |last2=Kekatos |first2=Steve |date=April 20, 2023 |title=Why SpaceX's Starship rocket matters even after self-destruction |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/why-spacex-starship-rocket-matters-after-self-destruction/story?id=98733978 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128034303/https://abcnews.go.com/US/why-spacex-starship-rocket-matters-after-self-destruction/story?id=98733978 |archive-date=January 28, 2024 |access-date=January 27, 2024 |website=ABC News}} SpaceX's Starship is the largest and most powerful rocket ever flown, with a payload capacity of 100+ tons.Mike Wall. [https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-third-test-flight-objectives SpaceX to push the envelope on 3rd Starship test flight] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240307112417/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-third-test-flight-objectives|date=March 7, 2024}} Space.com. Retrieved March 7, 2024.[https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/ Starship Service to Earth Orbit, Moon, Mars, and Beyond] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522145915/https://www.spacex.com/vehicles/starship/ |date=May 22, 2020 }} Spacex.com. 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2024. Construction of initial prototypes and tests for Starship started in early 2019 in Florida and Texas. All Starship construction and testing moved to the new SpaceX South Texas launch site later that year.

On April 20, 2023, Starship's first orbital flight test ended in a mid-air explosion over the Gulf of Mexico before booster separation. After launch, multiple engines in the booster progressively failed, causing the vehicle to reach max q later than planned. "Max q" is the theoretical point of maximal mechanical stress which occurs during the launch sequence of a space vehicle. In the case of a rocket that must be self-destructed during its ascent, max q occurs at the point of self-destruction. Eventually, the vehicle lost control and spun erratically until the automated flight termination system was activated, which intentionally destroyed the rocket. Elon Musk, SpaceX, and other individuals familiar with the space industry have referred to the test flight as a success.{{cite web |last1=Olson |first1=Emily |last2=Archie |first2=Ayana |date= April 20, 2023 |title=SpaceX's massive rocket Starship explodes 4 minutes after liftoff |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/04/20/1170983959/spacex-starship-launch-elon-musk |website=NPR |access-date=April 20, 2023 |archive-date=April 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420070436/https://www.npr.org/2023/04/20/1170983959/spacex-starship-launch-elon-musk |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Berger |first=Eric |author-link=Eric Berger (meteorologist) |date=April 20, 2023 |title=So what was that? Was Starship's launch a failure or a success? |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/04/so-what-was-that-was-starships-launch-a-failure-or-a-success/ |access-date=November 15, 2023 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us |archive-date=April 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421123110/https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/04/so-what-was-that-was-starships-launch-a-failure-or-a-success/ |url-status=live}}

Musk said at the time that it would take "six to eight weeks" to get the infrastructure prepared for another launch. In October 2023, a senior SpaceX executive stated the company had been ready to launch the next test flight since September. He accused government regulators of disrupting the project's progress, adding the delay could lead to China beating U.S. astronauts back to the Moon.{{Cite news |last1=Wattles |first1=Jackie |last2=Danya |first2=Gainor |date=April 29, 2023 |title=Starship could be ready to launch again in 'six to eight weeks,' Elon Musk says |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/04/29/world/spacex-starship-elon-musk-whats-next-scn/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111175817/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/04/29/world/spacex-starship-elon-musk-whats-next-scn/index.html |archive-date=November 11, 2023 |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=CNN}}{{Cite news |last1=Wattles |first1=Jackie |last2=Fisher |first2=Kristin |date=October 19, 2023 |title=SpaceX slams regulatory 'headwinds' for holding up Starship, risking US dominance in space |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/18/world/spacex-testimony-senate-faa-regulations-scn/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111175816/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/18/world/spacex-testimony-senate-faa-regulations-scn/index.html |archive-date=November 11, 2023 |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=CNN}}

On November 18, 2023, SpaceX launched Starship on its second flight test, with both vehicles flying for a few minutes before separately exploding.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/video/science/space/100000009187670/spacex-starship-explosions.html|title=SpaceX Starship Launch Ends in Explosion|work=The New York Times|date=November 18, 2023|access-date=November 19, 2023|archive-date=April 3, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403194420/https://www.nytimes.com/video/science/space/100000009187670/spacex-starship-explosions.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starlink-launch-group-7-7|title=SpaceX poised to launch 22 Starlink satellites early Nov. 19|date=November 18, 2023 |publisher=Space.com|access-date=November 19, 2023|archive-date=November 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119043053/https://www.space.com/spacex-starlink-launch-group-7-7|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/spacex-launches-giant-new-rocket-but-a-pair-of-explosions-ends-the-second-test-flight/article67547917.ece|title=SpaceX launches giant new rocket but a pair of explosions ends the second test flight|work=The Hindu|date=November 18, 2023 |access-date=November 19, 2023|archive-date=November 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119043053/https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/spacex-launches-giant-new-rocket-but-a-pair-of-explosions-ends-the-second-test-flight/article67547917.ece|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/nov/19/rows-and-rockets-blow-up-as-elon-musks-firms-endure-turbulent-weekend|title=Rows and rockets blow up as Elon Musk's firms endure turbulent weekend|work=The Guardian|date=November 19, 2023 |access-date=November 19, 2023|archive-date=November 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119083143/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/nov/19/rows-and-rockets-blow-up-as-elon-musks-firms-endure-turbulent-weekend|url-status=live |last1=Thorpe |first1=Vanessa }}

In early March 2024 SpaceX announced that it was targeting March 14 as the tentative launch date for its next uncrewed Starship launch configuration flight test, pending the issuance of a "launch license" by the FAA. This license was granted on March 13, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Wall |first=Mike |date=March 13, 2024 |title=FAA grants license for SpaceX's March 14 Starship launch |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-third-launch-faa-license |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403194348/https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-third-launch-faa-license |archive-date=April 3, 2024 |access-date=March 21, 2024 |website=Space.com |language=en}} On March 14, 2024, at 13:25 UTC, Starship launched for the third time and for the first time Starship reached its planned suborbital trajectory. The flight ended with the booster experiencing a malfunction shortly before landing and the ship being lost during re-entry over the Indian Ocean.

On June 4, 2024, SpaceX received the launch license for Starship's fourth flight test. The licensure itself was notable in that it was the first time that the FAA included a clause that would allow SpaceX to launch subsequent test flights without a mishap investigation, provided that they met a similar launch profile and used the same specification of hardware. The provision could prove to speed the development timeline.{{Cite web |author1=Tariq Malik |date=June 4, 2024 |title=SpaceX lands FAA license for next Starship megarocket launch on June 6 |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-flight-4-faa-launch-license |access-date=June 5, 2024 |website=Space.com |language=en}}

On October 12, 2024, SpaceX received FAA approval for Starship's fifth flight test.{{Cite web |last=Wattles |first=Jackie |date=October 12, 2024 |title=SpaceX gets regulatory approval for fifth test flight of Starship rocket |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/12/science/faa-spacex-starship-test-flight-5/index.html |access-date=November 5, 2024 |website=CNN |language=en}} The flight was the first without engine failures, and the first successful tower catch.{{Cite web |last=Weber |first=Ryan |date=October 12, 2024 |title=SpaceX Catches a Super Heavy Booster During a Milestone Flight 5 |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/10/starship-flight-5-catch/ |access-date=October 14, 2024 |website=NASASpaceFlight.com |language=en-US}}

SpaceX launched Starship on its sixth flight test on November 19, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Weber |first=Ryan |date=November 18, 2024 |title=SpaceX lands Ship 31 in the Indian Ocean but miss the Booster Catch |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/11/starship-flight-6-launch/ |access-date=November 20, 2024 |website=NASASpaceFlight.com |language=en-US}} The booster aborted the catch attempt, while the ship conducted a relight in space.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yd_cpPP4fE |title=SpaceX Launches Starship Flight 6 (and Catches a Booster) |date=November 16, 2024 |last=NASASpaceflight |access-date=November 19, 2024 |via=YouTube}}{{cite news |last1=Wattles |first1=Jackie |last2=Fatahi |first2=Kia |title=Regulators are investigating reports of property damage from SpaceX Starship's explosion |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/17/science/spacex-starship-explosion-investigation/index.html |work=CNN |date=January 17, 2025 |language=en}}

On January 16, 2025, SpaceX launched Starship on its seventh flight test, with the first Block 2 Ship, Ship 33 (standing at 403 ft or 123 meters). This test also carried a demonstration payload, a Starlink V3 simulator. The test launched at 22:37 UTC. The test resulted in the second catch of the Super Heavy booster, B14, but after 8 minutes, SpaceX lost contact with 'Ship', which is the upper stage of the Starship which resulted in the failure of the ship during the ascent. The spacecraft reportedly exploded around 8.5 minutes after launch over the Atlantic Ocean near the Turks and Caicos Islands. The FAA, on January 18, required a mishap investigation of the failure.{{Cite web |last1=Tingley |first1=Brett |last2=published |first2=Mike Wall |date=January 17, 2025 |title=Watch SpaceX Starship explode over Atlantic Ocean on Flight Test 7 (videos) |url=https://www.space.com/space-exploration/private-spaceflight/watch-spacex-starship-explode-over-atlantic-ocean-on-flight-test-7-videos |access-date=January 24, 2025 |website=Space.com |language=en}}

On March 7, 2025, SpaceX launched another Starship rocket, this time from Texas. Contact was lost minutes into the test flight and the spacecraft came tumbling down and broke apart, with wreckage seen across Florida's skies.{{Cite web |date=March 6, 2025 |title=SpaceX's latest Starship test flight ends with another explosion |url=https://apnews.com/article/spacex-starship-elon-musk-0c260a324f597a172300315c6486b9df |access-date=March 7, 2025 |website=AP News |language=en}} As per preliminary investigation, Starship’s 7th test flight was disrupted by an oxygen leak, flashes and sustained fires in its aft section, which caused the rocket’s engines to shut down and turn on the spacecraft’s self-destruct system.{{Cite web |last=Roush |first=Ty |title=Elon Musk Defends Second-Straight Explosion For SpaceX's Starship As 'Minor Setback' |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2025/03/07/elon-musk-defends-second-straight-explosion-for-spacexs-starship-as-minor-setback/ |access-date=March 7, 2025 |website=Forbes |language=en}}

On June 18, 2025, a SpaceX Starship rocket exploded during a static fire test at the company’s Starbase facility in Texas, following what the company described as a “major anomaly”.{{cite news |last=Harwood |first=William |date=19 June 2025 |title=SpaceX Starship upper stage explodes during ramp-up to expected engine test firing |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-starship-upper-stage-explosion-expected-engine-test-firing/ |access-date=19 June 2025 |work=CBS News}}

File:KSC-20200523-PH-KLS03 0011.jpg

A significant milestone was achieved in May 2020, when SpaceX successfully launched two NASA astronauts (Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken) into orbit on a Crew Dragon spacecraft during Crew Dragon Demo-2, making SpaceX the first private company to send astronauts to the International Space Station and marking the first crewed orbital launch from American soil in 9 years.{{cite news|title=SpaceX Lifts NASA Astronauts to Orbit, Launching New Era of Spaceflight{{snd}}The trip to the space station was the first from American soil since 2011 when the space shuttles were retired|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/30/science/spacex-nasa-astronauts.html|newspaper=The New York Times|last=Chang|first=Kenneth|date=May 30, 2020|access-date=May 31, 2020|archive-date=August 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810172446/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/30/science/spacex-nasa-astronauts.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Wattles|first=Jackie |title=SpaceX Falcon 9 launches two NASA astronauts into the space CNN|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/30/tech/spacex-nasa-launch-astronauts-scn/index.html|date=May 30, 2020|publisher=CNN|access-date=May 31, 2020|archive-date=May 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531001954/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/30/tech/spacex-nasa-launch-astronauts-scn/index.html|url-status=live}} The mission launched from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) in Florida.{{cite web|title=SpaceX-NASA Dragon Demo-2 launch: All your questions answered |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-why-crew-dragon-demo-2-mission-nasa-spacex-is-important-and-how-it-will-take-place-6434723/|website=The Indian Express|date=June 2, 2020|access-date=June 2, 2020|archive-date=June 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603035924/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-why-crew-dragon-demo-2-mission-nasa-spacex-is-important-and-how-it-will-take-place-6434723/|url-status=live}}

In May 2019, SpaceX launched the first large batch of 60 Starlink satellites, beginning to deploy what would become the world's largest commercial satellite constellation the following year.{{cite web|last1=Patel|first1=Neel|title=SpaceX now operates the world's biggest commercial satellite network |url=https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/01/07/130991/spacex-now-operates-the-worlds-biggest-commercial-satellite-network/|publisher=MIT Technology Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006164834/https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/01/07/130991/spacex-now-operates-the-worlds-biggest-commercial-satellite-network/ |archive-date=October 6, 2023 |access-date=May 19, 2024|url-status=live}} In 2022, most SpaceX launches focused on Starlink, a consumer internet business that sends batches of internet-beaming satellites and now has over 6,000 satellites in orbit.{{Cite web |last=McDowell |first=Jonathan |date= May 19, 2024 |title=Starlink Launch Statistics |url=https://planet4589.org/space/con/star/stats.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517045125/https://planet4589.org/space/con/star/stats.html |archive-date=May 17, 2024 |access-date=May 19, 2024 |website=Jonathan's Space Pages }}

On July 16, 2021, SpaceX entered an agreement to acquire Swarm Technologies, a private company building a low Earth orbit satellite constellation for communications with Internet of things (IoT) devices, for {{USD|524 million|long=no}}.{{cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-to-acquire-swarm-technologies/ |title=SpaceX to acquire Swarm Technologies |work=SpaceNews |date=August 9, 2021 |access-date=May 9, 2023 |archive-date=August 12, 2021 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20210812153424/http://spacenews.com/spacex%2Dto%2Dacquire%2Dswarm%2Dtechnologies/ |url-status=live }}

In December 2022, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the launch of up to 7,500 of SpaceX's next-generation satellites in its Starlink internet network.{{Cite news |last=Shepardson |first=David |date=December 1, 2022 |title=SpaceX gets U.S. approval to deploy up to 7,500 satellites |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/us-fcc-partially-grants-spacexs-application-second-gen-satellite-system-2022-12-01/ |access-date=December 2, 2022 |archive-date=December 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202062556/https://www.reuters.com/technology/us-fcc-partially-grants-spacexs-application-second-gen-satellite-system-2022-12-01/ |url-status=live }}

{{Sticky header}}

{{notelist}}

{{Main|SpaceX launch vehicles}}

File:CRS-18 Mission (48380511427).jpg first stage at Cape Canaveral in July 2019. VTVL technologies are used in many of SpaceX's launch vehicles.]]

SpaceX has developed three launch vehicles. The small-lift Falcon 1 was the first launch vehicle developed and was retired in 2009. The medium-lift Falcon 9 and the heavy-lift Falcon Heavy are both operational.

Falcon 1 was a small rocket capable of placing several hundred kilograms into low Earth orbit. It launched five times between 2006 and 2009, of which two were successful.{{cite web|url=http://www.spacex.com/falcon9.php|title=Falcon 9 Overview |year=2011|publisher=SpaceX|access-date=March 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070210095458/http://spacex.com/falcon9.php|archive-date=February 10, 2007}} The Falcon 1 was the first privately funded, liquid-fueled rocket to reach orbit.{{cite web |title=NASA – SpaceX Successfully Launches Falcon 1 to Orbit |date=September 28, 2008 |url=https://www.nasa.gov/offices/c3po/home/spacex_falcon1_flight_4.html |website=nasa.gov |access-date=December 30, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=September 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903082129/https://www.nasa.gov/offices/c3po/home/spacex_falcon1_flight_4.html |url-status=live }}

Falcon 9 is a medium-lift launch vehicle capable of delivering up to 22,800 kilograms (50,265{{spaces}}lb) to orbit, competing with the Delta IV and the Atlas V rockets, as well as other launch providers around the world. It has nine Merlin engines in its first stage. The Falcon 9 v1.0 rocket successfully reached orbit on its first attempt on June 4, 2010. Its third flight, COTS Demo Flight 2, launched on May 22, 2012, and launched the first commercial spacecraft to reach and dock with the International Space Station (ISS).{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/private-spacex-rocket-blasts-off-for-space-station-1.1137129|title=Private SpaceX rocket blasts off for space station Cargo ship reaches orbit 9 minutes after launch|agency=The Canadian Press|date=May 22, 2012|access-date=March 1, 2017|publisher=CBC News|archive-date=March 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313042620/http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/private-spacex-rocket-blasts-off-for-space-station-1.1137129|url-status=live}} The vehicle was upgraded to Falcon 9 v1.1 in 2013, Falcon 9 Full Thrust in 2015, and finally to Falcon 9 Block 5 in 2018. The first stage of Falcon 9 is designed to retro propulsively land, be recovered, and flown again.{{cite web |access-date=February 3, 2021 |archive-date=July 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721035853/https://spacex-info.com/falcon-9-falcon-heavy/ |quote=The v1.2 design was constantly improved upon over time, leading to different sub-versions or "Blocks". The initial design, flying on the maiden flight was thus referred to as Block 1. The final design which has largely stayed static since 2018 is the Block 5 variant. |title=Falcon 9 & Falcon Heavy |work=SpaceX Info |url=https://spacex-info.com/falcon-9-falcon-heavy/ |url-status=live}}

Falcon Heavy is a heavy-lift launch vehicle capable of delivering up to 63,800{{spaces}}kg (140,700{{spaces}}lb) to Low Earth orbit (LEO) or 26,700{{spaces}}kg (58,900{{spaces}}lb) to geosynchronous transfer orbit (GTO). It uses three slightly modified Falcon 9 first-stage cores with a total of 27 Merlin 1D engines.{{cite web |url=http://www.spacex.com/falcon_heavy.php|title=Falcon Heavy Overview|publisher=Space.com|year=2011|access-date=March 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005015956/http://www.spacex.com/falcon_heavy.php|archive-date=October 5, 2011}}{{cite web |author=Lindsey |first=Clark |date=January 4, 2013 |title=NewSpace flights in 2013 |url=http://www.newspacewatch.com/articles/newspace-flights-in-2013.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526045649/http://www.newspacewatch.com/articles/newspace-flights-in-2013.html |archive-date=May 26, 2013 |access-date=January 3, 2013 |publisher=NewSpace Watch}} The Falcon Heavy successfully flew its inaugural mission on February 6, 2018, launching Musk's personal Tesla Roadster into heliocentric orbit.{{cite news |url=http://www.spacex.com/falcon-heavy|title=Falcon Heavy|last=spacexcmsadmin|date=November 15, 2012|publisher=SpaceX|access-date=April 5, 2017|archive-date=April 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406182002/http://www.spacex.com/falcon-heavy}}

Both the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy are certified to conduct launches for the National Security Space Launch (NSSL).{{cite web|last1=Erwin|first1=Sandra|title=Air Force certified Falcon Heavy for national security launch but more work needed to meet required orbits|date=September 21, 2019|url=https://spacenews.com/air-force-certified-falcon-heavy-for-national-security-launch-but-more-work-needed-to-meet-required-orbits/|publisher=SpaceNews|access-date=September 22, 2019|archive-date=April 27, 2021|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20210427122608/https://spacenews.com/air%2Dforce%2Dcertified%2Dfalcon%2Dheavy%2Dfor%2Dnational%2Dsecurity%2Dlaunch%2Dbut%2Dmore%2Dwork%2Dneeded%2Dto%2Dmeet%2Drequired%2Dorbits/|url-status=live}} As of {{Falcon rocket statistics|statsdate}}, the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy have been launched {{Falcon rocket statistics|Totallaunch}} times, resulting in {{Falcon rocket statistics|Totalsuccess}} full mission successes, one partial success, and one in-flight failure. In addition, a Falcon 9 experienced a pre-flight failure before a static fire test in 2016.{{cite web|url=https://spacex-info.com/launch-list/|title=SpaceX Missions Summary|access-date=June 6, 2021|archive-date=June 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622000151/https://spacex-info.com/launch-list/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://spacex-info.com/stats/|title=Total Mission Counter|access-date=June 6, 2021|archive-date=June 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622000345/https://spacex-info.com/stats/|url-status=live}}

SpaceX is developing a fully reusable super-heavy lift launch system known as Starship. It comprises a reusable first stage, called Super Heavy, and the reusable Starship second stage space vehicle. {{as of|2017}}, the system was intended to supersede the company's existing launch vehicle hardware by the early 2020s.{{cite news |author=Gebhardt |first=Chris |date=September 29, 2017 |title=The Moon, Mars, and around the Earth{{snd}}Musk updates BFR architecture, plans |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/09/the-moon-mars-earth-musk-updates-bfr-plans/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001081759/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/09/the-moon-mars-earth-musk-updates-bfr-plans/ |archive-date=October 1, 2017 |access-date=May 16, 2020}}{{cite web |date=September 18, 2018 |title=Elon Musk says moon mission is "dangerous" but SpaceX's first passenger isn't scared |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-announces-first-moon-passenger-yusaku-maezawa-elon-musk/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127031540/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-announces-first-moon-passenger-yusaku-maezawa-elon-musk/ |archive-date=November 27, 2018 |access-date=February 2, 2019 |publisher=CBS News}}

{{Main|SpaceX rocket engines}}

File: SpaceX Testing Merlin 1D Engine In Texas.jpg undergoes a test at SpaceX's Rocket Development and Test Facility in McGregor, Texas]]

Since the founding of SpaceX in 2002, the company has developed several rocket engines{{snd}}Merlin, Kestrel, and Raptor{{snd}}for use in launch vehicles, Draco for the reaction control system of the Dragon series of spacecraft, and SuperDraco for abort capability in Crew Dragon.{{cite news |last=Bergin |first=Chris |title=SpaceX lifts the lid on the Dragon V2 crew spacecraft |url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/05/spacex-lifts-the-lid-dragon-v2-crew-spacecraft/ |access-date=May 30, 2014 |newspaper=NASAspaceflight.com |date=May 30, 2014 |archive-date=May 31, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531104755/http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/05/spacex-lifts-the-lid-dragon-v2-crew-spacecraft/ |url-status=live }}

Merlin is a family of rocket engines that uses liquid oxygen (LOX) and RP-1 propellants. Merlin was first used to power the Falcon 1's first stage and is now used on both stages of the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy vehicles.{{cite web |url=https://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/falcon_users_guide_02182019.pdf|title=Falcon 9 User's Guide|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190220122638/https://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/falcon_users_guide_02182019.pdf|archive-date=February 20, 2019 |access-date=February 25, 2019 }} Kestrel uses the same propellants and was used as the Falcon 1 rocket's second-stage main engine.{{cite web|url=http://www.spacex.com/SpaceX_F1-003_PressKit.pdf |publisher=SpaceX |title=Falcon 1 Flight Three Press Kit |access-date=September 30, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001161901/http://www.spacex.com/SpaceX_F1-003_PressKit.pdf |archive-date=October 1, 2008 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.astronautix.com/engines/kestrel.htm |title=Encyclopedia Astronautica Kestrel |access-date=June 22, 2021 |archive-date=December 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216104115/http://www.astronautix.com/engines/kestrel.htm }}

Draco and SuperDraco are hypergolic liquid-propellant rocket engines. Draco engines are used on the reaction control system of the Dragon and Dragon 2 spacecraft.{{cite web |access-date=March 1, 2017 |archive-date=May 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503070101/http://www.spacex.com/Falcon9UsersGuide_2009.pdf |publisher=SpaceX |title=Falcon 9 Launch Vehicle Payload User's Guide, 2009 |url=http://www.spacex.com/Falcon9UsersGuide_2009.pdf |year=2009}} The SuperDraco engine is more powerful, and eight SuperDraco engines provide launch escape capability for crewed Dragon 2 spacecraft during an abort scenario.{{cite news |last1=Berger |first1=Eric |title=SpaceX's Dragon capsule has survived its greatest test{{snd}}returning to Earth |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/03/dragon-has-docked-but-the-real-pucker-moment-for-spacexs-capsule-awaits/ |access-date=December 30, 2021 |work=Ars Technica |date=March 7, 2019 |language=en-us |archive-date=December 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230170631/https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/03/dragon-has-docked-but-the-real-pucker-moment-for-spacexs-capsule-awaits/ |url-status=live }}

Raptor is a new family of liquid oxygen and liquid methane-fueled full-flow staged combustion cycle engines to power the first and second stages of the in-development Starship launch system.{{cite magazine |last1=O'Callaghan |first1=Jonathan |title=The wild physics of Elon Musk's methane-guzzling super-rocket |url=https://www.wired.co.uk/article/spacex-raptor-engine-starship |access-date=April 21, 2021 |magazine=Wired UK |date=July 31, 2019 |language=en-gb |archive-date=February 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222232043/https://www.wired.co.uk/article/spacex-raptor-engine-starship |url-status=live }} Development versions were test-fired in late 2016,{{cite news|url=http://spacenews.com/spacex-performs-first-test-of-raptor-engine/|title=SpaceX performs first test of Raptor engine|date=September 26, 2016|publisher=SpaceNews|access-date=April 28, 2017|archive-date=February 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220155808/https://spacenews.com/spacex-performs-first-test-of-raptor-engine/|url-status=live}} and the engine flew for the first time in 2019, powering the Starhopper vehicle to an altitude of {{cvt|20|m}}.{{cite web|url=https://www.universetoday.com/142986/big-news-spacexs-starhopper-test-vehicle-completes-first-free-flight/|title=Big News! SpaceX's Starhopper Test Vehicle Completes First Free Flight!|date=July 26, 2019|access-date=August 11, 2019|archive-date=August 11, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190811125745/https://www.universetoday.com/142986/big-news-spacexs-starhopper-test-vehicle-completes-first-free-flight/|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Dragon 1|Dragon 2}}

File:Iss065e162284.jpg spacecraft, designed to deliver crew and cargo to and from the International Space Station (cargo version shown)]]

SpaceX has developed the Dragon spacecraft to transport cargo and crew to the International Space Station (ISS).

The first-generation Dragon 1 spacecraft was used only for cargo operations. It was developed with financial support from NASA under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. After a successful COTS demonstration flight in 2010, SpaceX was chosen to receive a Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract.

The currently operational second-generation Dragon 2 spacecraft conducted its first flight, without crew, to the ISS in early 2019, followed by a crewed flight of Dragon 2 in 2020. It was developed with financial support from NASA under the Commercial Crew Program program. The cargo variant of Dragon 2 flew for the first time in December 2020, for a resupply to the ISS as part of the CRS contract with NASA.{{cite news |last1=Thompson |first1=Amy |title=Tissue chips and organoids: SpaceX is launching lots of science to space for NASA on Sunday |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-nasa-crs-21-cargo-mission-launch-science-webcast |access-date=December 26, 2021 |work=Space.com |date=December 5, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226115140/https://www.space.com/spacex-nasa-crs-21-cargo-mission-launch-science-webcast |url-status=live }}

In March 2020 SpaceX revealed the Dragon XL, designed as a resupply spacecraft for NASA's planned Lunar Gateway space station under a Gateway Logistics Services (GLS) contract.{{citation-attribution|1={{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-artemis-contract-for-gateway-logistics-services|title=NASA Awards Artemis Contract for Gateway Logistics Services|last=Potter|first=Sean|date=March 27, 2020|publisher=NASA|access-date=March 28, 2020|archive-date=March 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327195418/https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-awards-artemis-contract-for-gateway-logistics-services|url-status=live}} }} Dragon XL is planned to launch on the Falcon Heavy, and is able to transport over {{cvt|5000|kg}} to the Gateway. Dragon XL will be docked at the Gateway for six to twelve months at a time.{{cite web|access-date=March 28, 2020|title=Dragon XL revealed as NASA ties SpaceX to Lunar Gateway supply contract |work=NASA Spaceflight|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/03/dragon-xl-nasa-spacex-lunar-gateway-supply-contract/|date=March 27, 2020|archive-date=March 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328020206/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2020/03/dragon-xl-nasa-spacex-lunar-gateway-supply-contract/|url-status=live}}

SpaceX designed a spacesuit to be worn inside the Dragon spacecraft to protect from possible depressurization.{{Cite web |last=Howell |first=Elizabeth |date=June 10, 2020 |title=New SpaceX spacesuits get five-star rating from NASA astronauts |url=https://www.space.com/spacex-spacesuits-five-star-astronaut-review.html |access-date=May 4, 2024 |website=Space.com |language=en}} On May 4, 2024, SpaceX unveiled a second spacesuit designed for extravehicular activity, planned to be used for a spacewalk during the Polaris Dawn mission.{{Cite web |title=Updates |url=https://www.spacex.com/updates |access-date=May 4, 2024 |website=SpaceX |language=en}}

{{Main|SpaceX reusable launch system development program|Falcon 9 first-stage landing tests|Autonomous spaceport drone ship}}

File:SpaceX ASDS in position prior to Falcon 9 Flight 17 carrying CRS-6 (17127808431).jpg in position prior to CRS-6 mission]]

SpaceX routinely returns the first stage of Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets after orbital launches. The rocket lands at a predetermined landing site using only its propulsion systems.{{cite web |author=Simberg |first=Rand |date=February 8, 2012 |title=Elon Musk on SpaceX's Reusable Rocket Plans |url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a7446/elon-musk-on-spacexs-reusable-rocket-plans-6653023/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170624061845/http://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a7446/elon-musk-on-spacexs-reusable-rocket-plans-6653023/ |archive-date=June 24, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=Popular Mechanics}} When propellant margins do not permit a return to a launch site (RTLS), rockets return to a floating landing platform in the ocean, called autonomous spaceport drone ships (ASDS).{{citation|last=SpaceX|title=Elon Musk Names SpaceX Drone Ships in Honor of Sci-Fi Legend|date=February 4, 2015|url=https://www.space.com/28445-spacex-elon-musk-drone-ships-names.html|access-date=May 31, 2020|archive-date=June 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602064617/https://www.space.com/28445-spacex-elon-musk-drone-ships-names.html|url-status=live}}

SpaceX also had plans to introduce floating launch platforms, which would be modified oil rigs provide a sea launch option for their Starship launch vehicle. As of February 2023, SpaceX had sold the oil rigs, but had not ruled out sea-based platforms for future use.{{cite web |last1=Foust |first1=Jeff |title=SpaceX drops plans to convert oil rigs into launch platforms |date=February 14, 2023|url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-drops-plans-to-covert-oil-rigs-into-launch-platforms/ |website=SpaceNews |access-date=November 29, 2024}}

{{Main|Starlink}}

File: Starlink Mission (47926144123).jpg

Starlink is an internet satellite constellation under development by Starlink Services, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SpaceX,{{cite web |url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-23-105A1.pdf |title=Order on Review (FCC 23-105) |date=December 12, 2023 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission |access-date=March 29, 2024 |quote=After the auction, SpaceX assigned its winning bids to its wholly-owned subsidiary, Starlink. |archive-date=December 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224074601/https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-23-105A1.pdf |url-status=live }}{{cite web |author=SpaceX |date=September 9, 2022 |title=Starlink Services LLC RDOF AFR – For Public Inspection |url=https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/10909050172096/1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019183126/https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/10909050172096/1 |archive-date=October 19, 2022 |access-date=March 29, 2024 |publisher=Federal Communications Commission |quote=Starlink Services, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Space Exploration Technologies Corp.}} that consists of thousands of cross-linked communications satellites in ~550{{spaces}}km orbits. Its goal is to address the significant unmet demand worldwide for low-cost broadband capabilities.{{cite web |author=de Selding |first=Peter B. |date=January 19, 2015 |title=SpaceX To Build 4,425 Broadband Satellites in Seattle |url=http://spacenews.com/spacex-opening-seattle-plant-to-build-4000-broadband-satellites/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150119210849/http://spacenews.com/spacex-opening-seattle-plant-to-build-4000-broadband-satellites/ |archive-date=January 19, 2015 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=SpaceNews}} Development began in 2015, and initial prototype test-flight satellites were launched on the SpaceX Paz satellite mission in 2017. In May 2019, SpaceX launched the first batch of 60 satellites aboard a Falcon 9.{{cite web|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/05/first-starlink-mission-heaviest-payload-launch-spacex/|title=Falcon 9 launches first Starlink mission{{snd}}heaviest payload launch by SpaceX to date|date=May 23, 2019|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|access-date=July 4, 2019|archive-date=June 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603142831/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2019/05/first-starlink-mission-heaviest-payload-launch-spacex/|url-status=live}} Initial test operation of the constellation began in late 2020{{cite news |last1=Sheetz |first1=Michael |title=SpaceX prices Starlink satellite internet service at $99 per month, according to e-mail |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/27/spacex-starlink-service-priced-at-99-a-month-public-beta-test-begins.html |access-date=December 25, 2021 |publisher=CNBC |date=October 27, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204222430/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/27/spacex-starlink-service-priced-at-99-a-month-public-beta-test-begins.html |url-status=live }} and first orders were taken in early 2021.{{cite web|title=SpaceX opens Starlink satellite Internet pre-orders to the public|url=https://www.engadget.com/spacex-starlink-internet-preorders-121427490.html|work=Engadget|date=February 10, 2021 |access-date=February 10, 2021|archive-date=February 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210134847/https://www.engadget.com/spacex-starlink-internet-preorders-121427490.html|url-status=live}} Customers were told to expect internet service speeds of 50 Mbit/s to 150 Mbit/s and latency from 20 ms to 40 ms.{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanocallaghan/2020/10/27/spacex-reveals-monthly-cost-of-starlink-internet-in-its-better-than-nothing-betabut-is-it-too-expensive/|title=SpaceX Reveals Monthly Cost Of Starlink Internet In Its 'Better Than Nothing Beta'|last=O'Callaghan|first=Jonathan|newspaper=Forbes|date=October 27, 2020 |access-date=October 30, 2020|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160314/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanocallaghan/2020/10/27/spacex-reveals-monthly-cost-of-starlink-internet-in-its-better-than-nothing-betabut-is-it-too-expensive/|url-status=live}} In December 2022, Starlink reached over 1 million subscribers worldwide.{{cite tweet|number=1604872936976154624|user=SpaceX |title=Starlink now has more than 1,000,000 active subscribers}}

The planned large number of Starlink satellites has been criticized by astronomers due to concerns over light pollution,{{cite news|title=After SpaceX Starlink Launch, a Fear of Satellites That Outnumber All Visible Stars|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/01/science/starlink-spacex-astronomers.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821011421/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/01/science/starlink-spacex-astronomers.html|archive-date=August 21, 2020|access-date=June 3, 2019|work=The New York Times|date=June 2019|last1=Hall|first1=Shannon}}{{cite news|title=The unexpected brightness of new satellites could ruin the night sky|url=https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2019/05/30/the-unexpected-brightness-of-new-satellites-could-ruin-the-night-sky|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160416/https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2019/05/30/the-unexpected-brightness-of-new-satellites-could-ruin-the-night-sky|archive-date=November 17, 2020|access-date=June 3, 2019|newspaper=The Economist|date=May 30, 2019}}{{cite web|title=SpaceX's Starlink Could Change The Night Sky Forever, And Astronomers Are Not Happy|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanocallaghan/2019/05/27/spacexs-starlink-could-change-the-night-sky-forever-and-astronomers-are-not-happy/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160330/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonathanocallaghan/2019/05/27/spacexs-starlink-could-change-the-night-sky-forever-and-astronomers-are-not-happy/|archive-date=November 17, 2020|access-date=June 3, 2019|work=Forbes}} with the brightness of Starlink satellites in both optical and radio wavelengths interfering with scientific observations.{{cite web|title=Will Elon Musk's Starlink satellites harm astronomy? Here's what we know.|date=May 29, 2019|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/elon-musk-starlink-internet-satellites-trouble-for-astronomy-light-pollution|access-date=March 12, 2021|work=National Geographic|archive-date=March 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309192056/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/elon-musk-starlink-internet-satellites-trouble-for-astronomy-light-pollution|url-status=dead}} In response, SpaceX has implemented several upgrades to Starlink satellites aimed at reducing their brightness.{{Cite news|last=SpaceX|date=April 28, 2020|title=Astronomy Discussion with National Academy of Sciences|url=https://www.spacex.com/updates/starlink-update-04-28-2020/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=April 4, 2021|archive-date=May 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516183544/https://www.spacex.com/updates/starlink-update-04-28-2020/index.html}} The large number of satellites employed by Starlink also creates long-term dangers of space debris collisions.{{cite web|last=O'Callaghan|first=Jonathan|date=May 13, 2019|title=SpaceX's Starlink Could Cause Cascades of Space Junk|url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/spacexs-starlink-could-cause-cascades-of-space-junk/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160329/https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/spacexs-starlink-could-cause-cascades-of-space-junk/|archive-date=November 17, 2020|access-date=August 2, 2020|website=Scientific American}}[https://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/starlink-space-debris/ Does Starlink Pose a Space Debris Threat? An Expert Answers.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160315/https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/starlink-space-debris/|date=November 17, 2020}} Jan Hattenbach, Sky & Telescope, June 3, 2019. However, the satellites are equipped with krypton-fueled Hall thrusters which allow them to de-orbit at the end of their life. They are also designed to autonomously avoid collisions based on uplinked tracking data.{{cite web|title=Starlink Block v1.0|url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/starlink-v1-0.htm|access-date=July 1, 2021|publisher=space.skyrocket.de|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117160214/https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/starlink-v1-0.htm|url-status=live}}

In December 2022, SpaceX announced Starshield, a program to incorporate military or government entity payloads on board a Starlink-derived satellite bus. The Space Development Agency is a key customer procuring satellites for a space-based missile defense system.{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-space-exploration-spacex-satellites-idUKKBN26Q3A5 | title=Musk's SpaceX wins Pentagon award for missile tracking satellites | work=Reuters | date=October 5, 2020 | access-date=December 13, 2022 | archive-date=December 11, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211175715/https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-space-exploration-spacex-satellites-idUKKBN26Q3A5 | url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=SpaceX – Starshield |url=https://www.spacex.com/starshield/ |access-date=December 13, 2022 |website=spacex.com |archive-date=December 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214061704/https://www.spacex.com/starshield/ |url-status=live }}

In June 2024, SpaceX introduced a compact version of its Starlink antennas, the "Starlink Mini", designed for mobile satellite internet use. Offered for {{USD|599|long=no}} in an early access release, it was more expensive than the base model. The Mini antenna, half the size and one-third the weight of the Standard version, featured a built-in WiFi router, lower power consumption, and over 100 Mbit/s download speeds.{{cite news|last=Sheetz |first=Michael |title=SpaceX unveils backpack-sized 'Starlink Mini' satellite internet antenna for $599 |date=June 20, 2024 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/06/20/spacex-unveils-starlink-mini-satellite-internet-antenna-for-599.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626174646/https://www.cnbc.com/2024/06/20/spacex-unveils-starlink-mini-satellite-internet-antenna-for-599.html |archive-date=June 26, 2024 |access-date=June 27, 2024}}

{{Main|Hyperloop pod competition}}

In June 2015, SpaceX announced that it would sponsor a Hyperloop competition, and would build a {{cvt|1.6|km|adj=on}} long subscale test track near SpaceX's headquarters for the competitive events.{{cite web |author=Boyle |first=Alan |date=June 15, 2015 |title=Elon Musk's SpaceX Plans Hyperloop Pod Races at California HQ in 2016 |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/innovation/elon-musks-spacex-plans-hyperloop-pod-races-california-hq-2016-n375386 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301034956/http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/innovation/elon-musks-spacex-plans-hyperloop-pod-races-california-hq-2016-n375386 |archive-date=March 1, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=NBC}}{{cite web|url=http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/spacex_hyperloop_pod_competition.pdf|title=Spacex Hyperloop Pod Competition|publisher=SpaceX|date=June 2015|access-date=March 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714105843/http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/spacex_hyperloop_pod_competition.pdf|archive-date=July 14, 2015}} The company held the annual competition from 2017 to 2019.{{cite news |last1=Bonasio |first1=Alice |title=Is it time to take the Hyperloop seriously? |url=https://arstechnica.com/cars/2018/03/is-it-time-to-take-the-hyperloop-seriously/ |access-date=April 21, 2021 |work=Ars Technica |date=March 4, 2018 |language=en-us |archive-date=April 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421143836/https://arstechnica.com/cars/2018/03/is-it-time-to-take-the-hyperloop-seriously/ |url-status=live }}

In collaboration with doctors and academic researchers, SpaceX invited all employees to participate in the creation of a COVID-19 antibody-testing program in 2020. As such, 4300 employees volunteered to provide blood samples resulting in a peer-reviewed scientific paper crediting eight SpaceX employees as coauthors and suggesting that a certain level of COVID-19 antibodies may provide lasting protection against the virus.{{cite news |url= https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/elon-musk-got-4000-spacex-workers-to-join-a-covid-19-study-heres-what-he-learned |title= Elon Musk got 4,000 SpaceX workers to join a COVID-19 study. Here's what he learned. |website= The Wall Street Journal |via= Fox Business |first= Sarah |last= Krouse |date= February 21, 2021 |access-date= February 21, 2021 |archive-date= February 23, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210223031740/https://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/elon-musk-got-4000-spacex-workers-to-join-a-covid-19-study-heres-what-he-learned |url-status= live }}{{cite journal|title= Discrete SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers track with functional humoral stability |journal= Nature Communications | doi = 10.1038/s41467-021-21336-8 |first1= Yannic C. |last1= Bartsch |first2= Stephanie |last2= Fischinger |first3= Sameed M. |last3= Siddiqui |first4= Zhilin |last4= Chen |first5= Jingyou |last5= Yu |first6= Makda |last6= Gebre |first7= Caroline |last7= Atyeo |first8= Matthew J. |last8= Gorman |first9= Alex Lee |last9= Zhu |first10= Jaewon |last10= Kang |first11= John S. |last11= Burke |first12= Matthew |last12= Slein |first13= Matthew J. |last13= Gluck |first14= Samuel |last14= Beger |first15= Yiyuan |last15= Hu |first16=Justin |last16= Rhee |first17= Eric |last17= Petersen |first18= Benjamin |last18= Mormann |first19= Michael |last19= de St Aubin |first20= Mohammad A. |last20= Hasdianda |first21= Guruprasad |last21= Jambaulikar |first22=Edward W. |last22= Boyer |first23=Pardis C. |last23= Sabeti |author-link23= Pardis Sabeti |first24= Dan H. |last24= Barouch |author-link24= Dan Barouch |first25= Boris D. |last25= Julg |first26= Elon R. |last26= Musk |author-link26= Elon Musk |first27= Anil S. |last27= Menon |first28= Douglas A. |last28= Lauffenburger |author-link28= Doug Lauffenburger |first29= Eric J. |last29= Nilles |first30= Galit |last30= Alter |author-link30= Galit Alter |date=February 15, 2021 |volume= 12 |issue= 1 |page= 1018 |pmid= 33589636 |pmc= 7884400 |bibcode= 2021NatCo..12.1018B |doi-access= free | issn = 2041-1723}}

In July 2018, Musk arranged for his employees to build a mini-submarine to assist the rescue of children stuck in a flooded cavern in Thailand.{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Timothy B. |date=July 10, 2018 |title=Thai official: Elon Musk's submarine "not practical for this mission" [Updated] |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/07/thai-official-elon-musks-submarine-not-practical-for-this-mission/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919045304/https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/07/thai-official-elon-musks-submarine-not-practical-for-this-mission/ |archive-date=September 19, 2020 |access-date=September 13, 2020 |website=Ars Technica}} Richard Stanton, leader of the international rescue diving team, encouraged Musk to facilitate the construction of the vehicle as a backup in case flooding worsened. However, Stanton later concluded that the mini-submarine would not work and said that Musk's involvement "distracted from the rescue effort".{{cite news |last1=Wong |first1=Julia Carrie |author-link=Julia Carrie Wong |date=December 5, 2019 |title=Elon Musk trial: Vernon Unsworth says entrepreneur's tweets 'humiliated' him |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/dec/04/elon-musk-trial-twitter-thai-rescue |url-status=live |access-date=May 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513154947/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/dec/04/elon-musk-trial-twitter-thai-rescue |archive-date=May 13, 2022}}{{cite tweet |number=1016684366083190785 |user=elonmusk |title=The former Thai provincial governor (described inaccurately as "rescue chief") is not the subject matter expert. [...] |first=Elon |last=Musk |access-date=July 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718112856/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1016684366083190785 |archive-date=July 18, 2018 |url-status=live}} Engineers at SpaceX and The Boring Company built the mini-submarine from a Falcon 9 liquid oxygen transfer tube in eight hours and personally delivered it to Thailand.{{cite news |last1=Ferris |first1=Robert |date=July 10, 2018 |title=Elon Musk says his 'mini-submarine' can be used for other things |publisher=CNBC |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/10/elon-musk-says-his-mini-submarine-can-be-used-for-other-things.html |url-status=live |access-date=July 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713075037/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/10/elon-musk-says-his-mini-submarine-can-be-used-for-other-things.html |archive-date=July 13, 2018}}{{cite web |date=July 8, 2018 |title=Tested for Thailand, SpaceX's makeshift mini-sub could serve as space escape pod |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2018/tested-thailand-spacexs-makeshift-mini-sub-serve-space-escape-pod/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207165300/https://www.geekwire.com/2018/tested-thailand-spacexs-makeshift-mini-sub-serve-space-escape-pod/ |archive-date=December 7, 2019 |access-date=December 7, 2019 |website=GeekWire.com}} Thai authorities ultimately declined to use the submarine, stating that it wasn't practical for the rescue mission.

SpaceX is headquartered at the SpaceX Starbase near Brownsville, Texas, where it manufactures and launches its Starship vehicle. However most of the company's operations are based out of its office in Hawthorne, California where it was previously headquartered, where it builds Falcon rockets and Dragon spacecraft, and where it houses its mission control.

The company also operates a Starlink satellite manufacturing facilities in Redmond, Washington, a rocket development and test facility in McGregor, Texas,{{cite news |last1=Hull |first1=Dana |last2=Chapa |first2=Sergio |title=Elon's Texas Empire |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/features/elon-musk-texas-tesla-spacex-2021/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211105220210/https://www.bloomberg.com/features/elon-musk-texas-tesla-spacex-2021/ |archive-date=November 5, 2021 |access-date=January 8, 2022 |work=bloomberg.com}} and maintains an office in the Washington, D.C. area, close to key government customers.{{Cite web |last=Hennigan |first=W.J. |date=January 31, 2011 |title=SpaceX to open a new office in the Washington, D.C., area |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/money-company/story/2011-01-31/spacex-to-open-a-new-office-in-the-washington-d-c-area |access-date=August 22, 2024 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}

SpaceX has two active launch sites in Florida, one active launch site in California and one active launch site at Starbase in Texas.

File:Iridium-4 Mission (25557986177).jpg]]

SpaceX operates a large facility in the Los Angeles suburb of Hawthorne, California. The three-story building, originally built by Northrop Corporation to build Boeing 747 fuselages,{{cite web |author=Belfiore |first=Michael |date=January 20, 2012 |title=Inside SpaceX: We Visit the Company's California Headquarters{{snd}}Slide 3 |url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/g768/inside-spacex-we-visit-the-companys-california-headquarters/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306040700/http://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/g768/inside-spacex-we-visit-the-companys-california-headquarters/ |archive-date=March 6, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=Popular Mechanics}} houses SpaceX's office space, mission control, and Falcon 9 manufacturing facilities.{{cite news |last1=Berger |first1=Eric |date=July 26, 2019 |title=SpaceX's Starship prototype has taken flight for the first time |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/07/spacexs-starship-prototype-has-taken-flight-for-the-first-time/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804140323/https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/07/spacexs-starship-prototype-has-taken-flight-for-the-first-time/ |archive-date=August 4, 2019 |access-date=March 16, 2021 |work=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}

The area has one of the largest concentrations of space sector headquarters, facilities, and subsidiaries in the U.S., including Boeing/McDonnell Douglas main satellite building campuses, The Aerospace Corporation, Raytheon, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, United States Space Force's Space Systems Command at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman, and AECOM, etc., with a large pool of aerospace engineers and recent college engineering graduates.

SpaceX uses a high degree of vertical integration in the production of its rockets and rocket engines. SpaceX builds its rocket engines, rocket stages, spacecraft, principal avionics and all software in-house in their Hawthorne facility, which is unusual for the space industry.

The Hawthorne facility was SpaceX's headquarters until August 2024. However, the move to relocate SpaceX's headquarters was seen as largely symbolic, at least in the short term, as the facility will remain to the company's operations.{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Stephen |date=July 17, 2024 |title=Elon Musk says SpaceX and X will relocate their headquarters to Texas |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/07/elon-musk-says-spacex-and-x-will-relocate-their-headquarters-to-texas/ |access-date=August 22, 2024 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}

{{Main|SpaceX Starbase}}

File:The Boca Chica Rocket Factory.jpg in Texas]]

SpaceX manufactures and flies Starship test vehicles from the SpaceX Starbase in Boca Chica near Brownsville, Texas, having announced first plans for the launch facility in August 2014.{{cite web |date=August 4, 2014 |title=Gov. Perry Announces State Incentives Bringing SpaceX Commercial Launch Facility, 300 Jobs to the Brownsville Area |url=http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/20001/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140829013047/http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/20001/ |archive-date=August 29, 2014 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=Office of the Governor Rick Perry}}{{cite web |author=Berger |first=Eric |date=August 4, 2014 |title=Texas, SpaceX announce spaceport deal near Brownsville |url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Texas-SpaceX-announce-spaceport-deal-near-5667434.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227052306/http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Texas-SpaceX-announce-spaceport-deal-near-5667434.php |archive-date=February 27, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=MySanAntonio.com}} The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued the permit in July 2014.{{cite web |author=David |first=Leonard |date=July 15, 2014 |title=SpaceX receives FAA approval for proposed spaceport in Texas |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-receives-faa-approval-for-proposed-spaceport-in-texas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202014713/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/spacex-receives-faa-approval-for-proposed-spaceport-in-texas/ |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=CBS News}} SpaceX broke ground on the new launch facility in 2014 with construction ramping up in the latter half of 2015,{{cite web |author=Foust |first=Jeff |date=September 22, 2014 |title=SpaceX Breaks Ground on Texas Spaceport |url=http://spacenews.com/41957spacex-breaks-ground-on-texas-spaceport/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160529183729/http://spacenews.com/41957spacex-breaks-ground-on-texas-spaceport/ |archive-date=May 29, 2016 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=SpaceNews}} with the first suborbital launches from the facility in 2019 and orbital launches starting in 2023.

SpaceX has faced increased scrutiny over the environmental impact of its Starbase facility.{{Cite news |last=Lingle |first=Brandon |date=August 16, 2024 |title=SpaceX's South Texas rocket operation facing international scrutiny |url=https://www.expressnews.com/business/article/spacex-international-scrutiny-texas-19660601.php |work=San Antonio Express-News}}{{cite news |last=Sheetz |first=Michael |date=July 14, 2021 |title=FAA warns SpaceX that massive Starship launch tower in Texas is unapproved |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/14/faa-warns-spacex-it-has-not-approved-new-texas-launch-site-tower.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210904033047/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/14/faa-warns-spacex-it-has-not-approved-new-texas-launch-site-tower.html |archive-date=September 4, 2021 |access-date=September 24, 2021 |publisher=CNBC}}{{cite news |last=Koren |first=Marina |date=February 11, 2020 |title=Why SpaceX Wants a Tiny Texas Neighborhood So Badly |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/02/space-x-texas-village-boca-chica/606382/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815024453/https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/02/space-x-texas-village-boca-chica/606382/ |archive-date=August 15, 2021 |access-date=September 24, 2021 |work=The Atlantic}} In August 2024, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality cited SpaceX for violating environmental regulations by repeatedly releasing pollutants into water near the Boca Chica launch site.{{Cite web |last=Kolodny |first=Lora |date=August 12, 2024 |title=SpaceX repeatedly polluted waters in Texas this year, regulators found |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/12/spacex-repeatedly-polluted-waters-in-texas-tceq-epa-found.html |access-date=August 25, 2024 |website=CNBC |language=en}} The EPA fined SpaceX approximately {{USD|150,000|long=no}} for allegedly discharging "industrial wastewater" and violating the Clean Water Act.{{Cite web |last=Lingle |first=Brandon |date=September 12, 2024 |title=SpaceX fined nearly $150,000 by the EPA for wastewater violations |url=https://www.expressnews.com/business/article/spacex-fine-epa-clean-water-violations-19757884.php |access-date=September 12, 2024 |website=San Antonio Express-News |language=en}}

{{Main|SpaceX Rocket Development and Test Facility}}

File:2008 SpaceX's Rocket Development facility, McGregor, TX.jpg

SpaceX's Rocket Development and Test Facility in McGregor, Texas is a rocket engine test facility. Every rocket engine and thruster manufactured by SpaceX must pass through McGregor for final testing being used on flight missions.{{cite news |last=Paur |first=Jason |date=October 10, 2012 |title=Inside SpaceX's Texas Rocket-Testing Facility |url=https://www.wired.com/autopia/2012/10/spacex-texas-rocket-test/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130109012656/http://www.wired.com/autopia/2012/10/spacex-texas-rocket-test/ |archive-date=January 9, 2013 |access-date=December 31, 2012 |newspaper=Wired}}{{cite news |last=Bergin |first=Chris |date=June 20, 2013 |title=Reducing risk via ground testing is a recipe for SpaceX success |url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/06/reducing-risk-ground-testing-recipe-spacex-success/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118211052/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2013/06/reducing-risk-ground-testing-recipe-spacex-success/ |archive-date=January 18, 2017 |access-date=August 21, 2013 |newspaper=NASAspaceflight.com}} The facility also serves as a testing ground for various components and engines during the research and development process.{{cite news |last1=Sanchez |first1=Sandra |date=December 22, 2011 |title=SpaceX: Blasting into the future — A Waco Today interview with Elon Musk |url=http://www.wacotrib.com/waco_today_magazine/spacex-blasting-into-the-future-a-waco-today-interview-with/article_6710295c-9151-59ba-b091-99aeade5beff.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730020838/https://www.wacotrib.com/waco_today_magazine/spacex-blasting-into-the-future-a-waco-today-interview-with/article_6710295c-9151-59ba-b091-99aeade5beff.html |archive-date=July 30, 2018 |access-date=October 7, 2015 |work=Waco Tribune}} In addition to engine testing, after splashdown and recovery, Dragon spacecraft make a stop at McGregor to have their hazardous hypergolic propellant fuels removed, before the capsules continue on to Hawthorne for refurbishment.

SpaceX calls the facility the most advanced and active rocket engine test facility in the world, and said that {{As of|2024|lc=y}}, over 7,000 tests had been conducted at the facility since it opened, with seven engine test fires on a typical day, across more than a dozen test stands.{{cite web |author=Gwynne Shotwell |date=March 17, 2015 |title=Statement Of Gwynne Shotwell, President & Chief Operating Officer, Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) |url=http://docs.house.gov/meetings/AS/AS29/20150317/103135/HHRG-114-AS29-Wstate-ShotwellG-20150317.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128041905/http://docs.house.gov/meetings/AS/AS29/20150317/103135/HHRG-114-AS29-Wstate-ShotwellG-20150317.pdf |archive-date=January 28, 2016 |access-date=January 11, 2016 |work=Congressional testimony |publisher=US House of Representatives, Committee On Armed Services Subcommittee On Strategic Forces |quote=SpaceX’s 4,000 acre Rocket Development Facility in Central Texas includes 12 test stands that support engine component testing; design, qualification and acceptance testing of Merlin engines; structural testing of the first and second stages; and fully integrated stage testing for full mission durations. The state-of-the-art facility has remote and/or automatic controls and high-speed data acquisition systems, and post test data are available for analysis upon test completion.}} Despite its low-profile compared to the company's other facilities, is a critical part of SpaceX's operations, and company president and COO Gwynne Shotwell maintains her primary office in McGregor.{{Cite AV media |url=https://house.texas.gov/videos/20813 |title=Testimony to the Texas House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations |date=September 24, 2024 |last=Shotwell |first=Gwynne |type=video |language=en-US |time=28:23}}

Originally the site of the Bluebonnet Ordnance Plant during World War II, the facility was later used by Beal Aerospace before being leased by SpaceX in 2003.U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (November 2011) [https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/media/20111110%20SpaceX%20Grasshopper%20Final%20EA.pdf "Final Environmental Assessment for Issuing an Experimental Permit to SpaceX for Operation of the Grasshopper Vehicle at the McGregor Test Site, Texas"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170513140146/https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/media/20111110%20SpaceX%20Grasshopper%20Final%20EA.pdf|date=May 13, 2017}}, p. 1. The company has since expanded it significantly from {{convert|256|acre}} in 2003 to {{convert|4000|acre}} by 2015. In July 2021, SpaceX announced plans to build a second production facility for Raptor engines at McGregor. This expansion is expected to significantly increase SpaceX's production capacity, with the goal of producing 800 to 1,000 Raptor engines per year.Elon Musk says SpaceX’s next Texas venture will be a rocket engine factory near Waco, https://www.dallasnews.com/business/technology/2021/07/10/elon-musk-says-spacexs-next-texas-venture-will-be-a-rocket-engine-factory-near-waco/, Dallas Morning News July 10, 2021, access-date11 July 2021.{{cite tweet |number=1413909599711907845 |user=elonmusk |title=We are breaking ground soon on a second Raptor factory at SpaceX Texas test site. This will focus on volume production of Raptor 2, while California factory will make Raptor Vacuum & new, experimental designs. |date=July 10, 2021}}

File:Starlink dish 01.webp

SpaceX's Starlink subsidiary operates over two main facilities. Satellite manufacturing takes place near Seattle, Washington while user terminal manufacturing takes place near Austin, Texas.

Starlink's satellite development and manufacturing operations campus occupies over {{Convert|314000|sqft}} in at least six buildings located in Redmond, Washington, east of Seattle. The first building opened in early 2015,{{Cite news |last=Bishop |first=Todd |date=January 13, 2015 |title=SpaceX's new Seattle-area office is in Redmond; Elon Musk to visit region this week |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2015/spacexs-new-seattle-area-office-redmond-elon-musk-visit-region-week/ |access-date=August 22, 2024 |work=GeekWire}} and the company later expanded into five buildings on the Redmond Ridge Corporate Center.{{cite news |date=January 27, 2017 |title=SpaceX adds a big new lab to its satellite development operation in Seattle area |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2017/spacex-lab-satellite-development-redmond/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012053923/https://www.geekwire.com/2017/spacex-lab-satellite-development-redmond/ |archive-date=October 12, 2018 |access-date=October 11, 2018 |publisher=GeekWire}}{{Cite web |date=April 8, 2021 |title=SpaceX expands its satellite operation in Redmond |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/spacex-expands-its-satellite-operation-in-redmond/ |access-date=August 22, 2024 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}

Starlink opened a user terminal manufacturing facility just outside of Bastrop, Texas, east of Austin in December 2023. In its first nine months of operation, the {{Convert|1000000|sqft|adj=on|spell=in}} facility produced one million user terminals and was on track to become the largest factory for printed circuit boards in the United States.{{Cite web |last=Kan |first=Michael |date=September 27, 2024 |title=Starlink Predicts Huge Growth for Printed Circuit Board Production in Texas |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/starlink-predicts-huge-growth-for-printed-circuit-board-production-in-texas |access-date=September 29, 2024 |website=PCMAG |language=en}}

{{Main|SpaceX launch facilities}}

File:Falcon Heavy Side Boosters landing on LZ1 and LZ2 - 2018 (25254688767).jpg and LZ2 at Cape Canaveral]]

SpaceX operates four orbital launch sites, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center in Florida and Vandenberg Space Force Base in California for Falcon rockets, and Starbase near Brownsville, Texas for Starship. SpaceX has indicated that they see a niche for each of the four orbital facilities and that they have sufficient launch business to fill each pad.{{cite web |author=Klotz |first=Irene |date=August 2, 2013 |title=SpaceX Appetite for U.S. Launch Sites Grows |url=http://spacenews.com/36587spacex-appetite-for-us-launch-sites-grows/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802163708/https://spacenews.com/36587spacex-appetite-for-us-launch-sites-grows/ |archive-date=August 2, 2023 |access-date=November 24, 2022 |publisher=SpaceNews}} The Vandenberg launch site enables highly inclined orbits (66–145°), while Cape Canaveral and Kennedy enable orbits of medium inclination (28.5–55°).{{Cite book|last=SpaceX|title=Falcon User's Guide|publisher=SpaceX|year=2021|url=https://www.spacex.com/media/falcon-users-guide-2021-09.pdf|page=11|access-date=January 21, 2024|archive-date=December 8, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208111712/https://www.spacex.com/media/falcon-users-guide-2021-09.pdf|url-status=live}} Larger inclinations, including SSO, are possible from Florida by overflying Cuba.{{cite news|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/08/31/spacex-launches-first-polar-orbit-mission-from-florida-in-decades/|title=SpaceX launches first polar orbit mission from Florida in decades|date=August 31, 2020|access-date=January 21, 2024|archive-date=December 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224083425/https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/08/31/spacex-launches-first-polar-orbit-mission-from-florida-in-decades/|url-status=live}}

Before it was retired, all Falcon 1 launches took place at the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site on Omelek Island of the Marshall Islands.{{cite web |last1=Spudis |first1=Paul D. |title=The Tale of Falcon 1 |url=https://www.airspacemag.com/daily-planet/the-tale-of-falcon-1-5193845/ |website=Air & Space Magazine |access-date=May 20, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=March 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302054826/https://www.airspacemag.com/daily-planet/the-tale-of-falcon-1-5193845/ |url-status=live }}

In April 2007, the Pentagon approved the use of Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) by SpaceX.{{cite news |last1=Wolf |first1=Jim |title=U.S. lets SpaceX operate at Cape Canaveral |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-space-usa-launch-idUSWBT00688620070426 |access-date=April 21, 2021 |work=Reuters |date=April 26, 2007 |language=en |archive-date=April 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421140153/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-space-usa-launch-idUSWBT00688620070426 |url-status=live }} The site has been used since 2010 for Falcon 9 launches, mainly to low Earth and geostationary orbits. The former Launch Complex 13 at Cape Canaveral, now renamed Landing Zones 1 and 2, has since 2015 been used for Falcon 9 first-stage booster landings.{{cite web |last1=Howell |first1=Elizabeth |title=See the Evolution of SpaceX's Rockets in Pictures |url=https://www.space.com/40547-spacex-rocket-evolution.html |website=Space.com |access-date=April 21, 2021 |language=en |date=May 21, 2020 |archive-date=April 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413052441/https://www.space.com/40547-spacex-rocket-evolution.html |url-status=live }}

File:Launch of Falcon 9 carrying CASSIOPE (130929-F-ET475-012).jpg, during the launch of CASSIOPE]]

Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 (SLC-4E) was leased from the military in 2011 and is used for payloads to polar orbits. The Vandenberg site can launch both Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy vehicles,{{cite web |author=Bergin |first=Chris |date=April 5, 2011 |title=SpaceX: Falcon Heavy, Falcon 9 tag team set to share 20 launches a year |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/04/spacex-falcon-heavy-tag-team-share-20-launches-year/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306035528/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/04/spacex-falcon-heavy-tag-team-share-20-launches-year/ |archive-date=March 6, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com}} but cannot launch to low inclination orbits. The neighboring SLC-4W was converted to Landing Zone 4 in 2015 for booster landings.{{cite web|url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/10/spacex-falcon-9-saocom-1a-launch-west-coast-landing/|title=SpaceX Falcon 9 launches with SAOCOM 1A and nails first West Coast landing|date=October 7, 2018|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com|access-date=February 11, 2019|archive-date=January 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109031024/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/10/spacex-falcon-9-saocom-1a-launch-west-coast-landing/|url-status=live}}

On April 14, 2014, SpaceX signed a 20-year lease for Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A.{{citation-attribution|1={{cite news|url=https://www.nasa.gov/content/nasa-spacex-sign-property-agreement-for-historic-launch-pad|title=NASA, SpaceX Sign Property Agreement for Historic Launch Pad|last=Granath|first=Bob|date=March 24, 2015|publisher=NASA|access-date=March 29, 2018|archive-date=February 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180207070227/https://www.nasa.gov/content/nasa-spacex-sign-property-agreement-for-historic-launch-pad/|url-status=live}} }} The pad was subsequently modified to support Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches. {{As of|2024}} it is the only pad that supports Falcon Heavy launches. SpaceX launched its first crewed mission to the ISS from Launch Pad 39A on May 30, 2020.{{citation-attribution|1={{cite web|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2019/02/06/nasa-partners-update-commercial-crew-launch-dates/|title=NASA, Partners Update Commercial Crew Launch Dates{{snd}}Commercial Crew Program|website=blogs.nasa.gov|date=February 6, 2019 |access-date=February 11, 2019|archive-date=February 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206231623/https://blogs.nasa.gov/commercialcrew/2019/02/06/nasa-partners-update-commercial-crew-launch-dates/|url-status=live}} }} Pad 39A has been prepared since 2019 to eventually accommodate Starship launches. With delays in launch FAA permits for Boca Chica, Texas, the 39A Starship preparation was accelerated in 2022.{{cite web |last=Ralph |first=Eric |date=February 16, 2022 |title=SpaceX preparing to assemble launch tower for Starship's first Florida pad |url=https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starship-first-florida-pad-launch-tower/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 16, 2022 |website=Teslarati |archive-date=April 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407070816/https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-starship-first-florida-pad-launch-tower/ }}

{{further|topic=SpaceX launches|Falcon 1#Launches|List of Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches|List of Starship launches}}

SpaceX won demonstration and actual supply contracts from NASA for the International Space Station (ISS) with technology the company developed. SpaceX is also certified for U.S. military launches of Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle-class (EELV) payloads. With approximately thirty missions on the manifest for 2018 alone, SpaceX represented over {{USD|12 billion|long=no}} under contract.

{{Main|Commercial Orbital Transportation Services|Commercial Resupply Services|Gateway Logistics Services}}

File:COTS2 Dragon is berthed.jpg (ISS) by Canadarm2]]

In 2006, SpaceX won a NASA Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) Phase 1 contract to demonstrate cargo delivery to the ISS, with a possible contract option for crew transport.Dennis Stone, "NASA's Approach to Commercial cargo and Crew Transportation", Acta Astronautica 63, No. 1-4 (2008): 192–197. Through this contract, designed by NASA to provide "seed money" through Space Act Agreements for developing new capabilities, NASA paid SpaceX {{USD|396 million|long=no}} to develop the cargo configuration of the Dragon spacecraft, while SpaceX developed the Falcon 9 launch vehicle with their resources.{{cite news |last1=Berger |first1=Eric |title=The numbers don't lie{{snd}}NASA's move to commercial space has saved money |url=https://arstechnica.com/features/2020/05/the-numbers-dont-lie-nasas-move-to-commercial-space-has-saved-money/ |access-date=December 26, 2021 |work=Ars Technica |date=May 20, 2020 |language=en-us |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226133101/https://arstechnica.com/features/2020/05/the-numbers-dont-lie-nasas-move-to-commercial-space-has-saved-money/ |url-status=live }} These Space Act Agreements have been shown to have saved NASA millions of dollars in development costs, making rocket development 4–10 times less expensive than if produced by NASA alone.

In December 2010, with the launch of the SpaceX COTS Demo Flight 1 mission, SpaceX became the first private company to successfully launch, orbit, and recover a spacecraft.{{cite web |last1=Siceloff |first1=Steven |title=NASA – SpaceX Launches Success with Falcon 9/Dragon Flight |url=https://www.nasa.gov/offices/c3po/home/spacexfeature.html |access-date=December 30, 2021 |work=nasa.gov |language=en |archive-date=June 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200612214903/https://www.nasa.gov/offices/c3po/home/spacexfeature.html |url-status=live }} Dragon successfully berthed with the ISS during SpaceX COTS Demo Flight 2 in May 2012, a first for a private spacecraft.{{cite news |author=Chang |first=Kenneth |date=May 22, 2012 |title=Big Day for a Space Entrepreneur Promising More |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/23/science/space/spacexs-private-cargo-rocket-heads-to-space-station.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701083413/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/23/science/space/spacexs-private-cargo-rocket-heads-to-space-station.html |archive-date=July 1, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |newspaper=The New York Times}}

Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) is a series of contracts awarded by NASA from 2008 to 2016 for the delivery of cargo and supplies to the ISS on commercially operated spacecraft. The first CRS contracts were signed in 2008 and awarded {{USD|1.6 billion|long=no}} to SpaceX for 12 cargo transport missions, covering deliveries to 2016. SpaceX CRS-1, the first of the 12 planned resupply missions, launched in October 2012, achieved orbit, berthed, and remained on station for 20 days, before re-entering the atmosphere and splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.{{cite web |url=https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/multimedia/gallery/dragon_splashdown.html|title=NASA Celebrates Dragon's Return|publisher=NASA|access-date=March 1, 2017|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305001245/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/multimedia/gallery/dragon_splashdown.html|url-status=live}}

CRS missions have flown approximately twice a year to the ISS since then. In 2015, NASA extended the Phase 1 contracts by ordering an additional three resupply flights from SpaceX, and then extended the contract further for a total of twenty cargo missions to the ISS.{{cite web |author=Bergin |first=Chris |date=March 3, 2015 |title=NASA lines up four additional CRS missions for Dragon and Cygnus |url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/03/nasa-crs-missions-dragon-cygnus/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130164344/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/03/nasa-crs-missions-dragon-cygnus/ |archive-date=January 30, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com}}{{cite news |author=Rhian |first=Jason |date=September 27, 2014 |title=NASA continues Commercial 'push' with CRS extension |url=http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/commercial/nasa-continues-commercial-push-crs-extension/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161020231358/http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/commercial/nasa-continues-commercial-push-crs-extension/ |archive-date=October 20, 2016 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=Spaceflight Insider}}{{cite web |author=de Selding |first=Peter B. |date=February 24, 2016 |title=SpaceX wins 5 new space station cargo missions in NASA contract estimated at $700{{spaces}}million |url=http://spacenews.com/spacex-wins-5-new-space-station-cargo-missions-in-nasa-contract-estimated-at-700-million/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160224170629/http://spacenews.com/spacex-wins-5-new-space-station-cargo-missions-in-nasa-contract-estimated-at-700-million/ |archive-date=February 24, 2016 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=SpaceNews}} The final Dragon 1 mission, SpaceX CRS-20, departed the ISS in April 2020, and Dragon was subsequently retired from service. A second phase of contracts was awarded in January 2016 with SpaceX as one of the awardees. SpaceX will fly up to nine additional CRS flights with the upgraded Dragon 2 spacecraft.{{cite web|date=April 28, 2021|title=SMSR Integrated Master Schedule|url=https://sma.nasa.gov/docs/default-source/sma-disciplines-and-programs/smsr/smsr-intergrated-master-schedule_24feb2020.pdf|access-date=May 3, 2021|work=Office of Safety and Mission Assurance|publisher=NASA|archive-date=June 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603205130/https://sma.nasa.gov/docs/default-source/sma-disciplines-and-programs/smsr/smsr-intergrated-master-schedule_24feb2020.pdf|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=February 25, 2021|title=Microgravity Research Flights|url=https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/space/iss-research/microgravity-research-flights/|access-date=February 27, 2021|work=Glenn Research Center|publisher=NASA|archive-date=March 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210318095946/https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/space/iss-research/microgravity-research-flights/|url-status=live}} In March 2020, NASA contracted SpaceX to develop the Dragon XL spacecraft to send supplies to the Lunar Gateway space station. Dragon XL will be launched on a Falcon Heavy.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/27/nasa-picks-spacex-for-lunar-orbit-missions-with-dragon-xl-falocn-heavy.html|title=SpaceX's most powerful rocket will send NASA cargo to the moon's orbit to supply astronauts|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=March 27, 2020|publisher=CNBC|access-date=April 1, 2020|archive-date=March 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330205822/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/27/nasa-picks-spacex-for-lunar-orbit-missions-with-dragon-xl-falocn-heavy.html|url-status=live}}

{{See also|Commercial Crew Program}}

File:NASA astronauts work aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon (iss064e004754).jpg rendezvous with the International Space Station ]]

SpaceX is responsible for the transportation of NASA astronauts to and from the ISS. The NASA contracts started as part of the Commercial Crew Development (CCDev) program, aimed at developing commercially operated spacecraft capable of delivering astronauts to the ISS. The first contract was awarded to SpaceX in 2011,{{cite web|title=Private Space Taxi's Crew Escape System Passes Big Hurdle |url=http://www.space.com/13396-spacex-dragon-launch-abort-system-review.html|access-date=March 1, 2017|publisher=Space.com|date=October 28, 2011|archive-date=December 27, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111227110412/http://www.space.com/13396-spacex-dragon-launch-abort-system-review.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web |first=Frank Jr.|last=Morring|title=Five Vehicles Vie For Future Of U.S. Human Spaceflight|url=http://aviationweek.com/awin/five-vehicles-vie-future-us-human-spaceflight|work=Aviation Week|date=April 25, 2011 |access-date=March 1, 2017|archive-date=May 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140509041748/http://aviationweek.com/awin/five-vehicles-vie-future-us-human-spaceflight|url-status=live}} followed by another in 2012 to continue development and testing of its Dragon 2 spacecraft.{{citation-attribution|1={{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/releases/2012/release-20120803.html|title=NASA Announces Next Steps in Effort to Launch Americans from U.S. Soil|date=August 3, 2012|publisher=NASA|access-date=March 1, 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170319023004/https://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/releases/2012/release-20120803.html|archive-date=March 19, 2017}} }}

In September 2014, NASA chose SpaceX and Boeing as the two companies that would be funded to develop systems to transport U.S. crews to and from the ISS. SpaceX won {{USD|2.6 billion|long=no}} to complete and certify Dragon 2 by 2017. The contracts called for at least one crewed flight test with at least one NASA astronaut aboard. Once Crew Dragon received NASA human-spaceflight certification, the contract required SpaceX to conduct at least two, and as many as six, crewed missions to the space station.{{citation-attribution|1={{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/press/2014/september/nasa-chooses-american-companies-to-transport-us-astronauts-to-international/|title=NASA Chooses American Companies to Transport U.S. Astronauts to International Space Station|date=September 16, 2014|publisher=NASA|access-date=March 1, 2017|archive-date=March 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320051537/https://www.nasa.gov/press/2014/september/nasa-chooses-american-companies-to-transport-us-astronauts-to-international/|url-status=live}} }}

SpaceX completed the first key flight test of its Crew Dragon spacecraft, a Pad Abort Test, in May 2015,{{cite web |url=https://www.spacex.com/news/2015/05/06/crew-dragon-completes-pad-abort-test|title=Crew Dragon Completes Pad Abort Test|last=Post|first=Hannah|work=SpaceX |date=May 6, 2015|access-date=January 22, 2020 |archive-date=July 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710153717/http://www.spacex.com/news/2015/05/06/crew-dragon-completes-pad-abort-test|url-status=live}} and successfully conducted a full uncrewed test flight in early 2019. The capsule docked to the ISS and then splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean.{{cite web |last=Smith |first=K. |date=March 4, 2019 |title=Crew Dragon Docks at the ISS |work=SpaceX |url=https://www.spacex.com/news/2019/03/04/crew-dragon-docks-iss |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200307191556/https://www.spacex.com/news/2019/03/04/crew-dragon-docks-iss |archive-date=March 7, 2020 |access-date=January 22, 2020 }} In January 2020, SpaceX conducted an in-flight abort test, the last test flight before flying crew, in which the Dragon spacecraft fired its launch escape engines in a simulated abort scenario.{{citation-attribution|1={{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-spacex-complete-final-major-flight-test-of-crew-spacecraft|title=NASA, SpaceX Complete Final Major Flight Test of Crew Spacecraft|last=Northon|first=Karen|date=January 19, 2020|publisher=NASA |access-date=January 22, 2020|archive-date=January 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200123115852/https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-spacex-complete-final-major-flight-test-of-crew-spacecraft|url-status=live}} }}

On May 30, 2020, the Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission was launched to the International Space Station with NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, the first time a crewed vehicle had launched from the U.S. since 2011, and the first SpaceX commercial crewed launch to the ISS.{{cite web|date=August 3, 2020|title=Demo-2 Success Lays Groundwork for Future Commercial Crew Missions|url=https://www.americaspace.com/2020/08/03/demo-2-success-lays-groundwork-for-future-commercial-crew-missions/|access-date=November 17, 2020|publisher=AmericaSpace|archive-date=December 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204113739/https://www.americaspace.com/2020/08/03/demo-2-success-lays-groundwork-for-future-commercial-crew-missions/|url-status=live}} The Crew-1 mission was successfully launched to the International Space Station on November 16, 2020, with NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover and Shannon Walker along with JAXA astronaut Soichi Noguchi,{{cite news |author=Wattles |first=Jackie |title=SpaceX-NASA mission: Four astronauts arrive at International Space Station |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/16/tech/spacex-nasa-iss-docking-scn/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117092210/https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/16/tech/spacex-nasa-iss-docking-scn/index.html |archive-date=November 17, 2020 |access-date=November 17, 2020 |publisher=CNN}} all members of the Expedition 64 crew.{{cite web|date=November 17, 2020|title=Dragon Resilience Docks at Space Station, Expands Expedition 64 to Seven Crew|url=https://www.americaspace.com/2020/11/17/dragon-resilience-docks-at-space-station-expands-expedition-64-to-seven-crew/|access-date=November 17, 2020|publisher=AmericaSpace|archive-date=November 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117123857/https://www.americaspace.com/2020/11/17/dragon-resilience-docks-at-space-station-expands-expedition-64-to-seven-crew/|url-status=live}} On April 23, 2021, Crew-2 was launched to the International Space Station with NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and K. Megan McArthur, JAXA astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet.{{cite web|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=April 23, 2021|title=SpaceX Crew-2 reaches orbit, with Elon Musk's company launching 10 astronauts in under a year|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/23/spacexs-crew-2-mission-for-nasa-launches-successfully-reaches-orbit.html|access-date=June 1, 2021|publisher=CNBC|language=en|archive-date=June 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613053408/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/23/spacexs-crew-2-mission-for-nasa-launches-successfully-reaches-orbit.html|url-status=live}} The Crew-2 mission successfully docked on April 24, 2021.{{cite web|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=April 24, 2021|title=Two SpaceX crew spacecraft are now docked to the space station, as the Crew-2 mission arrives|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/24/spacex-crew-2-astronauts-dock-with-the-international-space-station.html|access-date=June 1, 2021|publisher=CNBC|language=en|archive-date=June 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602213309/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/24/spacex-crew-2-astronauts-dock-with-the-international-space-station.html|url-status=live}}

File:Resilience after splashdown.jpg

SpaceX also offers paid crewed spaceflights for private individuals. The first of these missions, Inspiration4, launched in 2021 on behalf of Shift4 Payments CEO Jared Isaacman. The mission launched the Crew Dragon Resilience from the Florida Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A atop a Falcon 9 launch vehicle, placed the Dragon capsule into low Earth orbit, and ended successfully about three days later when the Resilience splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean. All four crew members received commercial astronaut training from SpaceX. The training included lessons in orbital mechanics, operating in a microgravity environment, stress testing, emergency-preparedness training, and mission simulations.{{cite web |last=Stein |first=Vicky |date=September 23, 2021 |title=Inspiration4: The first all-civilian spaceflight on SpaceX Dragon |url=https://www.space.com/inspiration4-spacex.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210928012153/https://www.space.com/inspiration4-spacex.html |archive-date=September 28, 2021 |work=space.com |access-date=September 28, 2021}}

File: STP-2 Mission (48129211908).jpg mission on a Falcon Heavy in June 2019]]

In 2005, SpaceX announced that it had been awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, allowing the United States Air Force to purchase up to {{USD|100 million|long=no}} worth of launches from the company.{{cite press release|url=http://www.spacex.com/press.php?page=15|title=SpaceX Awarded $100 Million Contract From U.S. Air Force for Falcon I|date=May 2, 2005|publisher=SpaceX |access-date=March 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080830032252/http://www.spacex.com/press.php?page=15|archive-date=August 30, 2008}} Three years later, NASA announced that it had awarded an IDIQ Launch Services contract to SpaceX for up to {{USD|1 billion|long=no}}, depending on the number of missions awarded.{{citation-attribution|1={{cite press release|url=https://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/apr/HQ_C08023_KSC_launch_services.html|title=NASA Awards Launch Services Contract to SpaceX|publisher=NASA|date=April 22, 2008|access-date=March 1, 2017|archive-date=March 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312055955/https://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2008/apr/HQ_C08023_KSC_launch_services.html|url-status=live}} }} In December 2012, SpaceX announced its first two launch contracts with the United States Department of Defense (DoD). The United States Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center awarded SpaceX two EELV-class missions: Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) and Space Test Program 2 (STP-2). DSCOVR was launched on a Falcon 9 launch vehicle in 2015, while STP-2 was launched on a Falcon Heavy on June 25, 2019.{{cite news |last1=Grush |first1=Loren |title=Why the third launch of SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket has the highest stakes yet |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/24/18713988/spacex-falcon-heavy-rocket-stp-2-launch-air-force-certification |access-date=December 26, 2021 |work=The Verge |date=June 24, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226133416/https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/24/18713988/spacex-falcon-heavy-rocket-stp-2-launch-air-force-certification |url-status=live }}

The Falcon 9 v1.1 was certified for National Security Space Launch (NSSL) in 2015, allowing SpaceX to contract launch services to the Air Force for any payloads classified under national security.{{citation-attribution|1={{cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/589724/air-forces-space-and-missile-systems-center-certifies-spacex-for-national-secur/|title=Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center Certifies SpaceX for National Security Space Missions|work=U.S. Air Force |publisher=USAF|date=May 26, 2015|access-date=March 1, 2017|archive-date=March 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301072446/http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/589724/air-forces-space-and-missiles-system-center-certifies-spacex-for-national-secur.aspx|url-status=live}} }} This broke the monopoly held since 2006 by United Launch Alliance (ULA) over U.S. Air Force launches of classified payloads.{{cite web |author=Shalal |first=Andrea |date=May 26, 2015 |title=U.S. Air Force certifies SpaceX for national security launches |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-military-space-idUSKBN0OB2M020150526 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203085017/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-military-space-idUSKBN0OB2M020150526 |archive-date=February 3, 2019 |access-date=February 2, 2019 |work=Reuters}} In April 2016, the U.S. Air Force awarded the first such national security launch to SpaceX to launch the second GPS III satellite for {{USD|82.7 million|long=no}}.{{cite web |author=Gruss |first=Mike |date=April 27, 2016 |title=SpaceX wins $82{{spaces}}million contract for 2018 Falcon 9 launch of GPS 3 satellite |url=http://spacenews.com/spacex-wins-82-million-contract-for-2018-falcon-9-launch-of-gps-3-satellite/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160428012049/http://spacenews.com/spacex-wins-82-million-contract-for-2018-falcon-9-launch-of-gps-3-satellite/ |archive-date=April 28, 2016 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=SpaceNews}} This was approximately 40% less than the estimated cost for similar previous missions.{{cite web |author=Klotz |first=Irene |date=April 28, 2016 |title=SpaceX undercut ULA rocket launch pricing by 40 percent: U.S. Air Force |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-space-spacex-launch-ula-idUSKCN0XP2T2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170216155948/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-space-spacex-launch-ula-idUSKCN0XP2T2 |archive-date=February 16, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |work=Reuters}} SpaceX also launched the third GPS III launch on June 20, 2020.{{cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/spacexs-low-cost-won-gps-3-launch-air-force-says/|title=SpaceX's low cost won GPS 3 launch, Air Force says|date=March 15, 2017|publisher=SpaceNews|access-date=November 24, 2022|archive-date=August 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802163725/https://spacenews.com/spacexs-low-cost-won-gps-3-launch-air-force-says/|url-status=live}} In March 2018, SpaceX secured an additional {{USD|290 million|long=no}} contract from the U.S. Air Force to launch another three GPS III satellites.{{cite news |author=Kelly |first=Emre |date=March 15, 2018 |title=ULA, SpaceX secure nearly $650{{spaces}}million in Air Force launch contracts |url=https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2018/03/15/spacex-ula-secure-nearly-650-million-air-force-launch-contracts-gps-afspc/427002002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104161146/https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2018/03/15/spacex-ula-secure-nearly-650-million-air-force-launch-contracts-gps-afspc/427002002/ |archive-date=November 4, 2018 |access-date=March 29, 2018 |newspaper=Florida Today}}

The U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) also purchased launches from SpaceX, with the first taking place on May 1, 2017.{{cite web |url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-prepares-for-its-first-big-nro-launch/|title=SpaceX prepares for its first big NRO launch|date=April 26, 2017|publisher=SpaceNews|access-date=February 2, 2019|archive-date=April 27, 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20170427224349/https://spacenews.com/spacex-prepares-for-its-first-big-nro-launch/|url-status=live}} In February 2019, SpaceX secured a {{USD|297 million|long=no}} contract from the U.S. Air Force to launch another three national security missions, all slated to launch no earlier than FY 2021.{{cite news|url=https://spacenews.com/air-force-awards-739-million-in-launch-contracts-to-ula-and-spacex/|title=Air Force awards $739{{spaces}}million in launch contracts to ULA and SpaceX|last=Erwin|first=Sandra|date=February 19, 2019|publisher=SpaceNews|access-date=February 19, 2019|archive-date=June 2, 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190602141950/https://spacenews.com/air-force-awards-739-million-in-launch-contracts-to-ula-and-spacex/|url-status=live}} In August 2020, the U.S. Space Force awarded its National Security Space Launch (NSSL) contracts for the following 5–7 years. SpaceX won a contract for {{USD|316 million|long=no}} for one launch. In addition, SpaceX will handle 40% of the U.S. military's satellite launch requirements over the period.{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/07/tech/spacex-ula-military-national-security-contract-scn/index.html|title=SpaceX and ULA win military launch competition worth $653{{spaces}}million{{snd}}and that's just the start |publisher=CNN | first=Jackie |last=Wattles |date=August 7, 2020 |access-date=August 8, 2020|archive-date=August 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808174639/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/07/tech/spacex-ula-military-national-security-contract-scn/index.html|url-status=live}}

SpaceX also designs and launches custom military satellites for the Space Development Agency as part of a new missile defense system in low Earth orbit.{{cite web|last=Erwin|first=Sandra|url=https://spacenews.com/spacex-l3harris-win-space-development-agency-contracts-to-build-missile-warning-satellites/|title=L3Harris, SpaceX win Space Development Agency contracts to build missile-warning satellites|publisher=SpaceNews|date=October 5, 2020|access-date=December 1, 2021|archive-date=October 6, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20201006005733/https://spacenews.com/spacex-l3harris-win-space-development-agency-contracts-to-build-missile-warning-satellites/|url-status=live}} The constellation would give the United States capabilities to sense, target and potentially intercept nuclear missiles and hypersonic weapons launched from anywhere on Earth.{{cite web|url=https://www.defense.gov/Portals/1/Interactive/2018/11-2019-Missile-Defense-Review/The%202019%20MDR_Executive%20Summary.pdf|title=2019 Missile Defense Review|publisher=Office of the Secretary of Defense|date=November 1, 2019|access-date=June 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190118011651/https://www.defense.gov/Portals/1/Interactive/2018/11-2019-Missile-Defense-Review/The%202019%20MDR_Executive%20Summary.pdf|archive-date=January 18, 2019|url-status=live}} Both China and Russia brought concerns to the United Nations about the program,{{cite web|url=https://russiaun.ru/en/news/261022_v|title=Statement by Deputy Head of the Russian Delegation on Outer Space Disarmament Aspects|publisher=Russian Federation to the United Nations|date=October 26, 2022|access-date=November 10, 2022|archive-date=November 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110230506/https://russiaun.ru/en/news/261022_v|url-status=live}} and various organizations warn it could be destabilizing and trigger an arms race in space.{{cite web|url=https://carnegieendowment.org/2021/12/16/approaching-third-rail-trilateral-treaty-to-prohibit-space-based-missile-defenses-pub-85965|title=Approaching the Third Rail? A Trilateral Treaty to Prohibit Space-Based Missile Defenses|publisher=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace|date=December 16, 2021|access-date=November 1, 2022|archive-date=November 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120230429/https://carnegieendowment.org/2021/12/16/approaching-third-rail-trilateral-treaty-to-prohibit-space-based-missile-defenses-pub-85965|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/space-based-missile-defense-0|title=Space-based Missile Defense|publisher=Union of Concerned Scientists|date=August 30, 2018|access-date=December 1, 2021|archive-date=October 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017223317/https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/space-based-missile-defense-0|url-status=live}}

In March 2024, Reuters reported that, as part of a {{USD|1.8 billion|long=no}} contract signed with the National Reconnaissance Office in 2021, SpaceX is building a network of hundreds of spy satellites. This new network, Reuters reported, would be able to operate as a swarm in low orbits.{{cite news |last1=Roulette |first1=Joey |last2=Marisa |first2=Taylor |title=Exclusive: Musk's SpaceX is building spy satellite network for US intelligence agency, sources say |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/musks-spacex-is-building-spy-satellite-network-us-intelligence-agency-sources-2024-03-16/ |access-date=April 6, 2024 |work=Reuters |date=March 16, 2024 |archive-date=March 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327043544/https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/musks-spacex-is-building-spy-satellite-network-us-intelligence-agency-sources-2024-03-16/ |url-status=live }}

In December 2024, WSJ reported that Musk didn't have access to government secrets.{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/tech/musk-spacex-security-clearance-secrets-b9774346?st=6XXFYn&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink|title=Why Musk Doesn't Have Access to SpaceX's Biggest Government Secrets|publisher=Wall Street Journal}}

{{Main|Space launch market competition}}

SpaceX's low launch prices, especially for communications satellites flying to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), have resulted in market pressure on its competitors to lower their own prices. Prior to 2013, the openly competed comsat launch market had been dominated by Arianespace (flying the Ariane 5) and International Launch Services (flying the Proton).{{cite web |author=Amos |first=Jonathan |date=December 3, 2013 |title=SpaceX launches SES commercial TV satellite for Asia |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25210742 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102045752/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25210742 |archive-date=January 2, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |work=BBC News}} With a published price of {{USD|56.5 million|long=no}} per launch to low Earth orbit, Falcon 9 rockets were the least expensive in the industry.{{cite web |author=Belfiore |first=Michael |date=December 9, 2013 |title=The Rocketeer |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2013/12/09/the-rocketeer/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317221323/http://foreignpolicy.com/2013/12/09/the-rocketeer/ |archive-date=March 17, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |work=Foreign Policy}} European satellite operators are pushing the ESA to reduce launch prices of the Ariane 5 and Ariane 6 rockets as a result of competition from SpaceX.{{cite web |author=Ramli |first=David |date=May 19, 2015 |title=NBN launcher Arianespace to cut jobs and costs to fight SpaceX |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/nbn-launcher-arianespace-to-cut-jobs-and-costs-to-fight-spacex-20150518-gh4i4x |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170612103644/http://www.smh.com.au/business/nbn-launcher-arianespace-to-cut-jobs-and-costs-to-fight-spacex-20150518-gh4i4x |archive-date=June 12, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=The Sydney Morning Herald Business Day}}

SpaceX ended the United Launch Alliance (ULA) monopoly of U.S. military payloads when it began to compete for national security launches. In 2015, anticipating a slump in domestic, military, and spy launches, ULA stated that it would go out of business unless it won commercial satellite launch orders.{{cite web |author=Shalal |first=Andrea |date=May 21, 2015 |title=Lockheed-Boeing rocket venture needs commercial orders to survive |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/lockheed-boeing-rocket-venture-needs-commercial-orders-survive-205416832--finance.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305042600/https://www.yahoo.com/news/lockheed-boeing-rocket-venture-needs-commercial-orders-survive-205416832--finance.html |archive-date=March 5, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |publisher=Yahoo}} To that end, ULA announced a major restructuring of processes and workforce to decrease launch costs by half.{{cite web |author=Avery |first=Greg |date=December 14, 2014 |title=ULA plans new rocket, restructuring to cut launch costs in half |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/blog/boosters_bits/2014/10/exclusive-ula-plans-a-new-rocket-restructuring-to.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315142232/http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/blog/boosters_bits/2014/10/exclusive-ula-plans-a-new-rocket-restructuring-to.html |archive-date=March 15, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |work=Denver Business Journal}}{{cite web |author=Petersen |first=Melody |date=October 16, 2014 |title=Congress OKs bill banning purchases of Russian-made rocket engines |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-russian-rocket-ban-20141213-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307165553/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-russian-rocket-ban-20141213-story.html |archive-date=March 7, 2017 |access-date=March 1, 2017 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}

Congressional testimony by SpaceX in 2017 suggested that the NASA Space Act Agreement process of "setting only a high-level requirement for cargo transport to the space station [while] leaving the details to industry" had allowed SpaceX to design and develop the Falcon 9 rocket on its own at a substantially lower cost. According to NASA's own independently verified numbers, SpaceX's total development cost for the Falcon 9 rocket, including the Falcon 1 rocket, was estimated at {{USD|390 million|long=no}}. In 2011, NASA estimated that it would have cost the agency about {{USD|4 billion|long=no}} to develop a rocket like the Falcon 9 booster based upon NASA's traditional contracting processes, about ten times more.{{cite conference |url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20170008895.pdf|title=An Assessment of Cost Improvements in the NASA COTS/CRS Program and Implications for Future NASA Missions |book-title=AIAA Space 2017 |last=Zapata|first=Edgar |date=September 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617200937/https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20170008895.pdf|archive-date=June 17, 2019|url-status=live |via=NASA}} In May 2020, NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine remarked that thanks to NASA's investments into SpaceX, the United States has 70% of the commercial launch market, a major improvement since 2012 when there were no commercial launches from the country.{{cite web|last1=Berger|first1=Eric|title=Forget Dragon, the Falcon 9 rocket is the secret sauce of SpaceX's success|date=June 3, 2020|url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/06/forget-dragon-the-falcon-9-rocket-is-the-secret-sauce-of-spacexs-success/|publisher=Ars Technica|access-date=August 21, 2020|archive-date=August 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817223027/https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/06/forget-dragon-the-falcon-9-rocket-is-the-secret-sauce-of-spacexs-success/|url-status=live}}

As of 2024, SpaceX operates a Rideshare and Bandwagon (mid inclination) programs. This provides additional competition for small satellite launchers.{{Cite web |last=Lentz |first=Danny |date=April 7, 2024 |title=SpaceX debuts new Bandwagon rideshare service |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/04/bandwagon-1/ |access-date=April 8, 2024 |website=NASASpaceFlight.com |language=en-US |archive-date=April 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408002912/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/04/bandwagon-1/ |url-status=live }}

{{sticky header}}

In November 2022, the company announced COO Gwynne Shotwell and vice president Mark Juncosa would oversee Starbase, its Texas launch facility, along with Omead Afshar, who at the time oversaw operations for Tesla in Texas. Shyamal Patel, who was senior director of operations at the site, would shift to its Cape Canaveral site. CNBC reported that these executive moves demonstrated "the sense of urgency within the company to get Starship flying".{{Cite web |last=Sheetz |first=Michael |title=SpaceX shakes up Starship leadership in Texas as push for the rocket's next milestone intensifies |date=November 11, 2022 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/11/spacex-shakes-up-starbase-leadership-in-starship-push.html |access-date=November 11, 2022 |publisher=CNBC |language=en |archive-date=November 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111183321/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/11/spacex-shakes-up-starbase-leadership-in-starship-push.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=SpaceX's Gwynne Shotwell Takes Over Starbase Mars Mission |url=https://www.theinformation.com/articles/spacexs-gwynne-shotwell-takes-over-starbase-mars-mission |access-date=November 11, 2022 |website=The Information |date=November 10, 2022 |archive-date=November 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111183329/https://www.theinformation.com/articles/spacexs-gwynne-shotwell-takes-over-starbase-mars-mission |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=Tesla Official Afshar Turns Up at SpaceX in New Starship Role |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-10/tesla-official-afshar-turns-up-at-spacex-in-new-starship-role |access-date=November 11, 2022 |newspaper=Bloomberg.com |date=November 10, 2022 |archive-date=November 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221111161341/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-10/tesla-official-afshar-turns-up-at-spacex-in-new-starship-role |url-status=live }}

{{anchor|Sexual harrassment|Sexual harassment}}

According to former NASA deputy administrator Lori Garver, the company overall has a male-dominated employee culture, similar to that of the spaceflight industry in general.{{Cite book |last=Garver |first=Lori B. |title=Escaping Gravity: My Quest to Transform NASA and Launch a New Space Age |date=2022 |publisher=Diversion Publishing Corporation |others=Foreword by Walter Isaacson |isbn=978-1-63576-770-4 |location=New York |oclc=1328013856 |quote=As president and COO of SpaceX, Gwynne Shotwell is an effective and revered female leader in the space community [...] both companies have reputed "bro" cultures. Numerous charges of sexual harassment and discrimination have recently been made public by employees in both companies. [...] Progress toward diversity, equity, and inclusion has been much too slow. |author-link=Lori Garver}} In December 2021, claims of workplace sexual harassment from five former SpaceX employees, ranging from interns to full engineers, were published.{{cite web|title=Former SpaceX workers say company has a culture of sexual harassment|url=https://www.engadget.com/spacex-sexual-harassment-claims-204712046.html|access-date=December 14, 2021|website=Engadget|date=December 14, 2021 |language=en-US|archive-date=December 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214205831/https://www.engadget.com/spacex-sexual-harassment-claims-204712046.html|url-status=live}} The former employees claimed to have experienced unwanted advances and uncomfortable interactions.{{Cite news|last=Roulette|first=Joey|date=December 14, 2021|title=Former Interns Say SpaceX Ignored Sexual Harassment|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/14/science/spacex-sexual-harassment.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/14/science/spacex-sexual-harassment.html |archive-date=December 28, 2021 |url-access=limited|access-date=December 15, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}{{cbignore}} Additionally, the accounts included claims of a culture of sexual harassment existing at the company and one where complaints made to executives, managers, and human resources officers went largely unaddressed.{{cite web|last=Grush|first=Loren|date=December 14, 2021|title=Five former SpaceX employees speak out about harassment at the company|url=https://www.theverge.com/22831380/spacex-employees-harassment-workplace-misconduct-elon-musk|access-date=December 14, 2021|website=The Verge|language=en|archive-date=December 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214185427/https://www.theverge.com/22831380/spacex-employees-harassment-workplace-misconduct-elon-musk|url-status=live}}

In May 2022, a Business Insider article alleged that Musk engaged in sexual misconduct with a SpaceX flight attendant in a private jet in 2016 citing an anonymous friend of the flight attendant.{{cite web |last=McHugh |first=Rich |date=May 19, 2022 |title=A SpaceX flight attendant said Elon Musk exposed himself and propositioned her for sex, documents show. The company paid $250,000 for her silence. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-paid-250000-to-a-flight-attendant-who-accused-elon-musk-of-sexual-misconduct-2022-5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220519235500/https://www.businessinsider.com/spacex-paid-250000-to-a-flight-attendant-who-accused-elon-musk-of-sexual-misconduct-2022-5 |archive-date=May 19, 2022 |access-date=June 17, 2021 |website=Insider |language=en}} In response, some employees collaborated on an open letter condemning "Elon's harmful Twitter behavior".{{cite web |last=Grush |first=Loren |date=June 16, 2022 |title=SpaceX employees draft open letter to company executives denouncing Elon Musk's behavior |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/6/16/23170228/spacex-elon-musk-internal-open-letter-behavior |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616231618/https://www.theverge.com/2022/6/16/23170228/spacex-elon-musk-internal-open-letter-behavior |archive-date=June 16, 2022 |access-date=June 17, 2022 |website=The Verge |language=en}} It also asks the company to clearly define SpaceX's "no-asshole" and "zero tolerance" policies, which it says is unequally enforced from one employee to the next. The next day, Gwynne Shotwell announced that those employees who were involved with the letter had been terminated and claimed that unsponsored, unsolicited surveys were sent to employees during the work day and that some felt pressured to sign the letter.{{cite web |last=Jacob |first=Nutson |date=June 17, 2022 |title=Reports: SpaceX fires employees who criticized Elon Musk in open letter |url=https://www.axios.com/2022/06/17/spacex-fires-employees-criticized-musk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619022231/https://www.axios.com/2022/06/17/spacex-fires-employees-criticized-musk |archive-date=June 19, 2022 |access-date=June 17, 2022 |website=Axios |language=en}}

The company has also been described as having a work culture that pushes employees to work excessively and is described as fostering a burnout culture.{{cite news |last1=Grush |first1=Loren |date=October 4, 2021 |title=Blue Origin's ideas to mimic SpaceX sound pretty brutal for employees |language=en |work=The Verge |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/4/22704784/blue-origin-2018-memo-spacex-success-long-hours-weekends |url-status=live |access-date=May 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504190743/https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/4/22704784/blue-origin-2018-memo-spacex-success-long-hours-weekends |archive-date=May 4, 2022}} According to a memo by Blue Origin, a rival aerospace company with a history of lawsuits and anti-SpaceX political lobbying,{{Cite web |title=Blue Origin vs. SpaceX – Which is Winning the Space Race? |url=https://www.alphr.com/blue-origin-vs-spacex/ |access-date=May 18, 2023 |website=Alphr |date=March 31, 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=May 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518211702/https://www.alphr.com/blue-origin-vs-spacex/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=SpaceX vs. Blue Origin vs. Virgin Galactic: What's the difference? |url=https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/feature/SpaceX-vs-Blue-Origin-vs-Virgin-Galactic-Whats-the-difference |access-date=May 18, 2023 |website=WhatIs.com |language=en |archive-date=May 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518211701/https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/feature/SpaceX-vs-Blue-Origin-vs-Virgin-Galactic-Whats-the-difference |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Shepardson |first=David |date=August 16, 2021 |title=Blue Origin sues U.S. government over SpaceX lunar lander contract |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/blue-origin-sues-us-government-over-spacex-lunar-lander-contract-2021-08-16/ |access-date=May 18, 2023 |archive-date=May 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518211701/https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/blue-origin-sues-us-government-over-spacex-lunar-lander-contract-2021-08-16/ |url-status=live }} SpaceX expected very long work hours, work on weekends, and limited use of holidays.

"SpaceX employees say they’re paying the price for the billionaire’s push to colonize space at breakneck speed" reported Reuters in 2023. An examination of OSHA's records revealed injury rates higher than the industry's averages. In addition, Reuters documented at least 600 previously unreported workplace injuries at SpaceX, including "crushed limbs, amputations, electrocutions, head and eye wounds and one death."

{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/spacex-musk-safety/|title=At SpaceX, worker injuries soar in Elon Musk's rush to Mars |website=Reuters.com |author= Marisa Taylor |date=November 10, 2023 |accessdate=February 22, 2025}}

{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/injury-rates-musks-spacex-exceed-industry-average-second-year-2024-04-22/|title=Exclusive: Injury rates for Musk's SpaceX exceed industry average for second year |website=Reuters.com |author= Marisa Taylor |date=April 23, 2024 |accessdate=February 22, 2025}} The person who died was Lonnie LeBlanc, a former United States Marine.

In June 2024, eight ex-employees, the same who had previously been fired for penning the open letter against Elon Musk, filed a lawsuit against Musk and SpaceX alleging sexual harassment and discrimination.{{cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/space-x-elon-musk-lawsuit-alleges-sexual-harassment-retaliation_n_666a5268e4b076909e1d13a6|title=Former Workers Accuse SpaceX And Elon Musk Of Sex Harassment, Retaliation In Lawsuit|date=June 13, 2024 |publisher=}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/article/2024/jun/12/elon-musk-spacex-lawsuit|title=Elon Musk sued by SpaceX engineers claiming they were illegally fired|work=The Guardian|date=June 12, 2024 }}

In August 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against SpaceX for discriminating against refugees and asylum seekers in its hiring process, alleging that the company violated the Immigration and Nationality Act by rejecting refugees and asylum recipients and hiring only U.S. citizens and permanent residents.{{Cite news |last=Archie |first=Ayana |date=August 25, 2023 |title=The Justice Department is suing SpaceX for allegedly not hiring refugees and asylees |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/08/25/1196005433/space-x-justice-department-refugees-lawsuit |access-date=March 27, 2025 |work=NPR |language=en}} SpaceX denied wrongdoing, citing U.S. export control law. In February 2025, the DOJ filed a motion to dismiss the case with prejudice.{{Cite news |last=Cohen |first=Luc |date=February 20, 2025 |title=US says it will drop immigration case against SpaceX |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/us-says-it-will-drop-immigration-case-against-spacex-2025-02-21/ |access-date=March 27, 2025 |work=Reuters}}{{Cite web |title=DOJ drops lawsuit against SpaceX for discriminatory hiring practices against immigrants |url=https://immpolicytracking.org/policies/doj-drops-case-against-spacex-for-discriminatory-hiring-practices-against-immigrants/ |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=Immigration Policy Tracking Project |language=en}}

In December 2024, federal agencies investigated SpaceX for security violations as well as Musk's alleged drug use.{{cite web |title=Elon Musk and SpaceX Face Federal Reviews After Violations of Security Reporting Rules |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/17/technology/elon-musk-spacex-national-security-reporting.html |website=New York Times|author=Kirsten Grind, Eric Lipton and Sheera Frenkel |date=December 18, 2024 |access-date=December 18, 2024 }}{{cite web |title=SpaceX warned not to seek higher clearance for Elon Musk due to drug use: report |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/elon-musk-security-clearance-putin-b2665462.html |website=Independent |author=Io Dodds|date=December 17, 2024|access-date=December 19, 2024 |language=en-gb}}

According to an investigation conducted by NPR, "SpaceX has sometimes ignored environmental regulations as it rushed to fulfill its founder’s vision. With each of its launches, records show, the company discharged tens of thousands of gallons of what regulators classify as industrial wastewater into the surrounding environment."{{Cite news |title=SpaceX wants to go to Mars. To get there, environmentalists say it's trashing Texas |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/10/10/nx-s1-5145776/spacex-texas-wetlands |access-date=March 26, 2025 |work=NPR |language=en}} In addition to endangering nearby people, the wastewater poses significant threats to wildlife.{{Cite web |date=October 17, 2024 |title=The Terrible Irony of Destroying Earth in Search of Plan(et) B: SpaceX's Impacts to Boca Chica, Texas {{!}} Defenders of Wildlife |url=https://defenders.org/blog/2024/10/terrible-irony-of-destroying-earth-search-of-planet-b-spacexs-impacts-boca-chica-0 |access-date=March 26, 2025 |website=defenders.org |language=en}}

The 2025 SpaceX Starship Flight 7 rocket explosion sent debris into the atmosphere that was spread across the Caribbean Sea. The incident also "released significant amounts of harmful air pollution into the upper layers of Earth's atmosphere."{{Cite web |author1=Tereza Pultarova |date=February 2, 2025 |title=How much did SpaceX's Starship Flight 7 explosion pollute the atmosphere? |url=https://www.space.com/space-exploration/how-much-did-spacexs-starship-flight-7-explosion-pollute-the-atmosphere |access-date=March 26, 2025 |website=Space.com |language=en}}

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• Berger, Eric. Reentry: SpaceX, Elon Musk, and the Reusable Rockets that Launched a Second Space Age. BenBella Books (2024). {{ISBN|978-1637745274}}
• Berger, Eric. Liftoff: Elon Musk and the Desperate Early Days That Launched SpaceX. William Collins (2021). {{ISBN|978-0008445621}}
• Davenport, Christian. The Space Barons; Elon Musk. Jeff Bezos, and the Quest to Colonize the Cosmos. PublicAffairs (2018). {{ISBN|978-1610398299}}
• Fernholz, Tim. Rocket Billionaires: Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and the New Space Race. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (2018). {{ISBN|978-1328662231}}
• Vance, Ashlee. Elon Musk: How the Billionaire CEO of SpaceX and Tesla is Shaping Our Future. Penguin Random House UK (2015). {{ISBN|978-0753555620}}

{{Commons category}}

{{Wikinews category}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{OpenSecrets}}
• {{LittleSis}}

{{SpaceX}}

{{Elon Musk}}

{{Satcomm}}

{{Space colonization}}

{{Space tourism}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Portal bar|Spaceflight|Stars|Astronomy|Rocketry|Los Angeles|Companies}}

Category:2002 establishments in California

Category:Aerospace companies of the United States

Category:American companies established in 2002

Category:Articles containing video clips

Category:Commercial launch service providers

Category:Companies based in Los Angeles County, California

Category:Elon Musk

Category:Hawthorne, California

Category:Hyperloop

Category:Manufacturing companies based in Greater Los Angeles

Category:Private spaceflight companies

Category:Spacecraft manufacturers

Category:Technology companies based in Greater Los Angeles

Category:Technology companies established in 2002

Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 2002