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

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 22 V2 mini Starlink satellites launches into the blue Florida sky from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on June 4, 2023.

SpaceX launch 22 Starlink 'V2 mini' satellites into orbit, lands rocket at sea (video)

By Andrew Jones last updated

SpaceX launched a fleet of new Starlink internet satellites into orbit early Sunday (June 4), kicking off the first of a space launch doubleheader from Florida.

A black and white SpaceX rocket on launch pad with menacing dark clouds in the background

Watch SpaceX launch Dragon cargo mission to space station today after 2-day delay

By Josh Dinner last updated

SpaceX will launch its 28th cargo mission to the International Space Station for NASA Monday (June 5), and you can watch the action live.

four astronauts in black-and-white spacesuits inside a SpaceX Dragon capsule.

'I'm ready. Let's go!' Record-breaking astronaut Peggy Whitson eager for next flight after private Ax-2 mission

By Mike Wall published

Record-breaking former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson just landed after the private Ax-2 mission to the space station, but she's eager to go back to the final frontier.

a shoebox-sized satellite with a camera on one end

World's 1st 'hacking sandbox' satellite and more to ride on SpaceX's next NASA cargo launch

By Josh Dinner published

SpaceX's 28th cargo mission (CRS-28) is poised to launch new science experiments and provisions to the International Space Station on Saturday (June 3).

space capsule floats in the ocean at night near a brightly lit recovery ship.

SpaceX's Dragon reentry and splashdown with Ax-2 astronauts looks amazing in these nighttime photos and videos

By Mike Wall published

Ax-2's SpaceX Dragon capsule Freedom put on quite a show as it streaked through Earth's atmosphere late Tuesday night (May 30), as videos show.

spacex falcon 9 rocket lifting off from the pad at night.

SpaceX launches 52 Starlink satellites, lands rocket on ship at sea

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX launched 52 more of its Starlink broadband satellites to orbit early Wednesday morning (May 31) and landed the returning rocket on a ship at sea.

SpaceX recovery teams with Dragon capsule to retreive Ax-2 astronaut crew in the Gulf of Mexico

SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying private Ax-2 astronauts splashes down off Florida coast (video)

By Mike Wall last updated

The four astronauts of the private Ax-2 mission returned to Earth in their SpaceX Dragon capsule tonight (May 30).

View of Earth's curve against the blackness of space captured from a camera on SpaceX's Starship rocket.

Relive SpaceX Starship's epic launch with these amazing highlights (video)

By Josh Dinner published

Recently released footage gives new, highly detailed looks at the first-ever launch of a fully stacked Starship vehicle, which SpaceX conducted last month.

a small spacecraft expands to form an octagonal heat shield as it enters Earth's atmosphere

SpaceX could launch this wild, origami-inspired folding heat shield later this year

By Josh Dinner published

A private company has plans to test a revolutionary new heat shield that folds and unfolds like origami, and it could conduct a test flight aboard a SpaceX rocket later this year.

China's Shenzhou 15 and Shenzhou 16 crews join together aboard the country's Tiangong space station on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. The six taikonauts include Fei Junlong, Deng Qingming Zhang Lu, Jing Haipeng, Zhu Yangzhu and Gui Haichao.

New record! 17 people are in Earth orbit at the same time right now

By Robert Z. Pearlman last updated

The total number of people in Earth orbit is now at a record high, though only for a short time. With Monday's (May 29) launch of China's Shenzhou 16 mission, the population in orbit grew to 17.

SpaceX's Crew Dragon Freedom floats against the black of space

SpaceX Dragon capsule with Ax-2 private astronauts undocks from space station (video)

By Mike Wall last updated

The four astronauts of the private Ax-2 mission are scheduled to head home to Earth today (May 30), and you can watch the action live.

Axiom Space Ax-2 astronauts Rayyanah Barnawi on the left and Ax-2 commander Peggy Whitson smile for a photo surrounded by science gear on International Space Station.

Saudi Arabia has ambitious plans for space. Its astronauts on SpaceX's private Ax-2 mission are just the start, official says

By Mike Wall published

Mishaal Ashemimry, special adviser to the CEO of the Saudi Space Commission, discusses the significance of the Ax-2 mission and the nation's ambitious space plans.

The Axiom Space Ax-2 private astronaut crew smiles in their Dragon capsule

Axiom Space Ax-2 private spaceflight with SpaceX: Mission updates

By Brett Tingley last updated

Follow along with Axiom Space's Ax-2 mission to the International Space Station, the second-ever all-private mission to the orbital lab.

11 astronauts packed together on the international space station

Private Ax-2 astronauts get warm welcome from space station crew (video)

By Josh Dinner published

The crew of Axiom Space's second private mission to the International Space Station arrived at the orbiting lab on Monday (May 22) to a warm welcome from the station's current crew.

SpaceX's first integrated Starship and Super Heavy launch into the sky from Starbase at Boca Chica, Texas on April 20, 2023.

SpaceX joining FAA to fight environmental groups' Starship lawsuit: report

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX is joining the FAA to fight a lawsuit brought by environmental groups, which claim the agency didn't properly assess the damage the company's Starship rocket could cause.

a rocket take off at night

SpaceX launches huge Arabsat BADR-8 satellite into orbit, lands rocket at sea (video)

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX launched a big telecommunications satellite to orbit early Saturday morning (May 27), landing the Falcon 9 rocket's booster at sea shortly after.

a rocket lifts off above a cloud of smoke

Relive SpaceX launch of Ax-2 private astronaut mission with these stunning photos

By Robert Lea published

Stunning images tell the story of the launch and landing of the Falcon 9 rocket that carried the Ax-2 crew to space on Sunday (May 21).

Mattel's Matchbox SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft comes packaged in a display-ready box that suspends the die-cast capsule against a backdrop of the blue Earth and blackness of space.

SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule is now a Matchbox die-cast model

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft is landing — on toy store shelves. Matchbox, the classic die-cast toy brand, has released a miniature model of the commercial space capsule.

astronauts floating inside a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule

'It feels amazing!' Private Ax-2 astronauts thrilled by zero gravity and Earth views after SpaceX launch (video)

By Robert Lea published

The Ax-2 crew, including three first-time astronauts and the first Saudi woman to reach space, shared their reactions after reaching space on their way to the International Space Station.

A white and black SpaceX Dragon Ax-2 capsule docked the space station with blue Earth behind.

SpaceX Dragon capsule docks at space station with private Ax-2 astronaut crew (video)

By Josh Dinner last updated

A SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying four private astronauts arrived at the International Space Station early Monday (May 22) after a record-setting trip to the orbiting laboratory