Elon Musk

When it came time to launch his third company, Elon Musk decided that he would settle for nothing less than outer space. The South African native took the proceeds from two successful internet businesses and founded Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, or SpaceX, in June of 2002. The company aims to develop low cost rockets capable of hurling satellites -- and eventually people -- into space. The company’s line of semi-reusable rockets include the Falcon I and the much larger Falcon V; both are schedule to launch within the next year. The U.S. Air Force recently awarded the company a $100 million contract for launch services using the Falcon I. Musk is also a member of the Board of Trustees for the X Prize Foundation.