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

SpaceX's Crew Dragon Endeavour splashes down in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida on Monday, September 4, 2023 (EDT). The capsule returned from the International Space Station with the Crew-6 members Stephen Bowen, Woody Hoburg, Sultan AlNeyadi and Konstantin Borisov after 185 days.

SpaceX buys parachute manufacturer Pioneer Aerospace

By Andrew Jones published

SpaceX has acquired Pioneer Aerospace, a company that provided components for Dragon spacecraft parachutes before filing for bankruptcy.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off with 23 Starlink satellites from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023.

SpaceX launches 23 more Starlink satellites from Florida (video)

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX launched another 23 Starlink internet satellites from Florida on Saturday night (Dec. 2).

a white rocket blasts off above a plume of fire. the ocean can be seen just behind the rocket

SpaceX launches Irish, South Korean satellites and lands its 250th rocket (video)

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the first of five South Korean spy satellites on Dec. 1 before coming down for the company's 250th successful booster recovery.

A U.S. Air Force X-37B space plane, encapsulated ahead of a planned May 16, 2020, launch. That liftoff will kick off the sixth mission for the X-37B program.

US Space Force postpones launch of secretive X-37B space plane to Dec. 10

By Josh Dinner published

The U.S. Space Force has announced a delay in the upcoming launch of its elusive X-37B space plane, the first aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.

two men in suits speak to one another in front of microphones and Israeli flags

Elon Musk, Israel agree on use of SpaceX Starlink satellite internet in Gaza

By Brett Tingley published

Elon Musk traveled to Israel on Monday (Nov. 27) and met with Israeli government officials, reaching an agreement about the use of Starlink internet satellites in Gaza.

A large red streak shines across the night sky

SpaceX rockets keep tearing blood-red 'atmospheric holes' in the sky, and scientists are concerned

By Harry Baker published

Experts are concerned that these blood-red light shows could be causing unknown problems for astronomy and communication.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off with 23 Starlink satellites from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023.

SpaceX launches another batch of Starlink satellites from Florida (video)

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX launched yet another batch of its Starlink internet satellites from Florida on Monday night (Nov. 27).

a massive rocket lifts off above a plume of fire at sunrise

This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for Starship. Yes, really (op-ed)

By Josh Dinner published

Starship is uniting people under the hopeful vision of spaceflight's future. Getting to see it launch in person was an incredible experience.

a highly zoomed-in view of a silver rocket in the upper atmosphere

Watch SpaceX's Starship explode in astronomer's stunning telescope footage (video)

By Brett Tingley published

While thousands of photographers had their cameras trained on SpaceX's second test flight of its massive Starship rocket, one amateur astronomer was watching with a telescope.

close-up shot of 33 rocket engines burning, producing an orange glow and a blue-orange flame.

Epic 33-engine burn among successes of Starship's 2nd test flight, SpaceX says

By Mike Wall published

All 33 of the Raptor engines that power Starship's giant Super Heavy first stage performed well during Saturday's (Nov. 18) liftoff, SpaceX said.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off with 23 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023.

SpaceX launches 23 Starlink satellites from Florida (video)

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX launched 23 Starlink internet satellites from Florida early Wednesday (Nov. 22), just a few days after its epic Starship liftoff.

close-up shot of all 33 of the first-stage engines of SpaceX's Starship first stage burning as the vehicle rises off the launch pad.

See SpaceX's Starship ignite all 33 1st-stage engines in fiery test-flight photos

By Samantha Mathewson published

SpaceX shared incredible photos from the second test flight of its Starship megarocket over the weekend, including views of its 33 first-stage Raptor engines igniting for liftoff.

four workers stand atop a concrete pad surrounded by three large concrete pillars.

SpaceX's epic Starship liftoff didn't damage launch pad, Elon Musk says

By Mike Wall published

The second-ever launch of SpaceX's huge Starship rocket this weekend didn't appreciably damage the pad, according to company founder and CEO Elon Musk.

A crowd of people on a beach watches the second-ever test flight of SpaceX's giant Starship vehicle on Nov. 18, 2023.

SpaceX's Starship should be ready to fly again before Christmas, Elon Musk says

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX will likely be ready from a technical standpoint to launch its next Starship flight in just three to four weeks, Elon Musk said. But the FAA also has to clear the vehicle for liftoff.

The Mattel Matchbox SpaceX releases to date, including mainline (at left) and collector edition (at right) Dragon spacecraft and Sky Busters Starship and Dragon descent capsule. The line is expected to grow with a Sky Busters Falcon Heavy rocket in 2024.

SpaceX's Starship is now a Matchbox Sky Busters die-cast toy

By Robert Z. Pearlman published

SpaceX's Starship has launched into space and landed as a Mattel Matchbox toy. The reusable spacecraft is among the latest additions to the classic toy brand's line of aircraft (and spacecraft).

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 22 Starlink satellites to orbit from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base on Nov. 20, 2023.

SpaceX wraps busy weekend with launch of 22 Starlink satellites (video)

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX launched 22 more Starlink internet satellites from California early Monday (Nov. 20), wrapping up a busy spaceflight weekend for the company.

a massive rocket lifts off above a plume of fire at sunrise

FAA to oversee investigation of SpaceX's explosive 2nd Starship flight

By Mike Wall published

The FAA will oversee a SpaceX-led investigation of the second-ever flight of the company's giant Starship vehicle, which ended eight minutes after liftoff on Nov. 18.

SpaceX's Starship rocket launches from Starbase during its second test flight in Boca Chica, Texas, on November 18, 2023.

SpaceX's 2nd Starship launch test looks amazing in these stunning photos and videos

By Tariq Malik published

SpaceX's second Starship test flight on Nov. 18 may have met an explosive end, but photos of the launch were absolutely amazing.

a huge rocket blasts off above a plume of fire

NASA chief congratulates SpaceX on Starship's explosive 2nd launch test

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX's Starship notched a number of milestones on its second-ever test flight today (Nov. 18), drawing praise from NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

SpaceX's second Starship and Super Heavy rocket launch test soars into the morning sky above Boca Chica Beach in South Texas on Nov. 18, 2023.

SpaceX Starship megarocket launches on 2nd-ever test flight, explodes in 'rapid unscheduled disassembly' (video)

By Josh Dinner published

SpaceX's next-generation Starship megarocket launched on its second-ever test flight today (Nov. 18), but exploded in a 'rapid unscheduled disassembly.'