SpaceX

Hawthorne, Calif.-based Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) is a commercial company aiming to launch cargo, and eventually people, to low-Earth orbit. The firm is developing its Dragon capsule and Falcon 9 booster under contracts from NASA's Commercial Crew Development (CCDev) program and its Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program.

Related Topics: Falcon Heavy, NASA, NASA Space Launch System, Orion Spacecraft

Latest Updates

An Indian LVM3 rocket launches the final 36 satellites for OneWeb's first-generation broadband constellation from Satish Dhawan Space Centre on March 25, 2023.

Indian rocket launches final 36 satellites for OneWeb's broadband constellation

By Mike Wall last updated

India's most powerful rocket launched the final 36 satellites for OneWeb's first-generation internet constellation to low Earth orbit on Saturday night (March 25).

SpaceX's SN8 Starship prototype launches on a high-altitude test flight on Dec. 9, 2020. The vehicle performed well during the flight but did not stick its landing, exploding shortly after hitting the ground.

When it comes to space, failure isn't just an option — it's a requirement

By Rick Tumlinson published

In spaceflight, we advance by learning from our mistakes — if, that is, we accept the learning we gain from those failures and apply it to our future endeavors.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 56 of the company's Starlink internet satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on March 24, 2023.

SpaceX launches 56 Starlink satellites, lands rocket on ship at sea

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX launched its 20th mission of the year on Friday (March 24), sending 56 of its Starlink internet satellites skyward and landing the returning rocket on a ship at sea.

The image shows diagonal lines caused by the light reflected by a group of 25 Starlink satellites passing through the field of view of a telescope at Lowell Observatory in Arizona during observations of the NGC 5353/4 galaxy group on May 25, 2019.

Astronomers urged to fight 'tooth and nail' to protect dark skies

By Sharmila Kuthunur published

A new paper calls on the scientific community to do more to fight rising light pollution and protect the night sky, including banning satellite megaconstellations if necessary.

This view of Earth was captured by a camera aboard the upper stage of a Falcon 9 rocket following the launch of the SES-18 and SES-19 satellites on March 17, 2023.

Spectacular SpaceX video shows Earth as beautiful blue marble in blackness of space

By Robert Lea published

A camera aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket caught Earth as a beautiful blue marble in a striking new video filmed from orbit.

Artist's illustration of the Hakuto-R lander, which is operated by Japanese company ispace, at the moon.

Private Japanese moon lander reaches lunar orbit

By Mike Wall published

The Hakuto-R moon lander entered lunar orbit late Monday night (March 20), notching a huge milestone for the Japanese company ispace and private spaceflight in general.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 52 Starlink satellites lifts off from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base on March 17, 2023.

SpaceX launches 52 Starlink satellites, lands rocket at sea

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX aced its 18th orbital mission of 2023 on Friday (March 17), launching 52 of its Starlink internet satellites and landing a rocket on a ship at sea.

SpaceX's Starship covered in frost during a landmark fueling test on Jan. 23, 2023.

SpaceX now eyeing April for Starship's 1st orbital launch, Elon Musk says

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX's huge Starship vehicle could launch on its first-ever orbital test flight next month, if regulatory approvals come through, Elon Musk said.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the SES-18 and SES-19 telecom satellites to orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on March 17, 2023.

SpaceX launches 2 rockets less than 5 hours apart

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX pulled off a St. Patrick's Day doubleheader, acing two Falcon 9 missions on Friday (March 17).

a microscopic image showing orange blobs sticking to a green tree-like object

SpaceX delivers new science experiments to ISS to explore origins of life on Earth

By Josh Dinner published

SpaceX delivered a fresh round of science payloads to the International Space Station that will explore topics such as how to minimize microbial contamination inside spacecraft.

SpaceX CRS-27 Cargo Dragon spacecraft arrives at the International Space Station after a smooth ride.

SpaceX Dragon cargo ship arrives at space station with NASA supplies

By Mike Wall published

A SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule carrying nearly 6,300 pounds of supplies arrived at the International Space Station Thursday morning (March 16).

nicole mann smiling in a spacesuit with helmet open. she is sitting in a plush seat inside a white spacecraft and a bank of screens is just available on the right-hand side

1st Native American woman astronaut wants the world to 'share in that joy' after SpaceX Crew-5 flight

By Elizabeth Howell published

Shortly after coming home from the International Space Station, NASA's Nicole Mann talked about how she is trying to bring others into the field by sharing her journey.

SpaceX's Crew Dragon Endeavour with the Ax-1 crew docks to the International Space Station on April 9, 2022.

Axiom Space targeting November 2023 for 3rd private astronaut mission to space station

By Mike Wall published

Axiom Space is targeting November 2023 for the launch of its Ax-3 mission, which will send four private astronauts to the International Space Station for a two-week stay.

SpaceX's Starship covered in frost during a landmark fueling test on Jan. 23, 2023.

SpaceX's Starship has 50% chance of success on 1st orbital flight, Elon Musk says

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX's huge new Starship vehicle has a roughly 50% chance of success on its debut orbital mission, which could lift off in the next month or so, Elon Musk said.

A Falcon 9 rocket launches SpaceX's 27th contracted cargo mission to the International Space Station from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on March 14, 2023.

SpaceX launches fresh Dragon cargo ship to space station, lands rocket at sea

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX launched its 27th contracted cargo mission to the International Space Station for NASA on Tuesday (March 14), sending more than 6,000 pounds of supplies to the orbiting lab.

The SpaceX Crew-5 members are expected to splash down soon. Clockwise from left are Expedition 68 Flight Engineers Anna Kikina of Roscosmos, Josh Cassada and Nicole Mann from NASA, and Koichi Wakata of JAXA (the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency.)

SpaceX Crew-5 and Crew-6 astronaut mission: Live updates

By Elizabeth Howell published

Read the latest news about SpaceX's Crew-5 and Crew-6 missions to the International Space Station for NASA.

The SpaceX Crew-5 Dragon Endurance capsule descends to Earth under parachutes as it splashes down in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Tampa Bay, Florida on March 11, 2023, returning four astronauts to Earth after 5 months.

SpaceX Dragon capsule splashes down with Crew-5 astronauts after 157 days in space

By Josh Dinner published

SpaceX's Crew-5 astronauts have returned to Earth. The four astronauts on the Dragon capsule Endurance splashed down March 11 to end a 157-day trip to the International Space Station.

Crew Dragon Endurance seen departing the International Space Station after a five-month Crew-5 mission on March 11, 2023.

Watch SpaceX's Crew-5 astronauts return to Earth from space station in this webcast

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX's Crew-5 astronaut mission for NASA departed the International Space Station on Saturday March 11 after more than five months in space.

A robotic SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule leaves the International Space Station on Jan. 9, 2023.

NASA, SpaceX eyeing March 14 for resupply launch to space station

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX will launch its 27th contracted cargo mission to the International Space Station for NASA on March 14, if all goes according to plan.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 40 OneWeb internet satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on March 9, 2023.

SpaceX launches 40 OneWeb internet satellites to orbit, lands rocket

By Mike Wall last updated

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched 40 broadband satellites to orbit for the U.K. company OneWeb on Thursday (March 9) and came back to Earth for a pinpoint touchdown.