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

starship spacecraft in mid-air with the pointy side facing towards the ground. smoke is in behind

SpaceX now targeting December for 1st Starship orbital launch: report

By Elizabeth Howell published

NASA says that SpaceX plans to resume its Starship test-flight program in December with an orbital try. But that's not confirmed yet.

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket launches the USSF-44 mission for the U.S. Space Force on Nov. 1, 2022.

Amazing photos from SpaceX's Falcon Heavy USSF-44 mission

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy launched classified payloads for the U.S. Space Force on its fourth-ever mission on Nov. 1, 2022. Relive the highlights.

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket launches the USSF-44 mission for the U.S. Space Force on Nov. 1, 2022.

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, world's most powerful rocket, launches US military satellites in 1st flight in 3 years

By Josh Dinner last updated

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, the world's most powerful rocket currently in operation, took flight this morning (Nov. 1) for the first time in more than three years.

A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket takes off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on its debut mission on Feb. 6, 2018.

SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch today will create double sonic booms

By Mike Wall last updated

The launch of a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket on Tuesday morning (Nov. 1) will be a feast for the senses.

SpaceX rolls its Falcon Heavy rocket out to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, ahead of a planned Nov. 1 liftoff.

SpaceX rolls out Falcon Heavy rocket ahead of Tuesday launch (photo)

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX rolled its powerful Falcon Heavy rocket to the launch pad on Monday (Oct. 31) ahead of a planned liftoff a day later.

SpaceX performs a static fire test with its Falcon Heavy rocket at Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Oct. 27, 2022.

Watch SpaceX's Falcon Heavy launch for 1st time since 2019 today

By Josh Dinner last updated

After more than three years, SpaceX's Falcon Heavy — the world's most powerful operational rocket — is about to launch again.

elon musk smiling as people surrounding him applaud

Elon Musk assumes control of Twitter as SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch looms

By Elizabeth Howell published

'The bird is freed', SpaceX CEO Elon Musk tweeted in the run-up to the U.S. midterm elections in which Twitter's content moderation will play a key role.

The Falcon Heavy rocket taking off from Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Feb. 6, 2018.

SpaceX hasn't flown a Falcon Heavy rocket since 2019. Here's why.

By Mike Wall last updated

In the 40 months since a Falcon Heavy last took flight, SpaceX has launched more than 100 missions with its workhorse Falcon 9 rocket. So why has the Heavy stayed grounded?

SpaceX performs a static fire test with its Falcon Heavy rocket at Pad 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Oct. 27, 2022.

SpaceX fires up huge Falcon Heavy rocket ahead of Nov. 1 launch

By Mike Wall last updated

SpaceX lit the engines of its powerful Falcon Heavy rocket on Thursday (Oct. 27), paving the way for a liftoff early next week.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 53 Starlink internet satellites from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base on Oct. 27, 2022.

SpaceX launches 53 Starlink satellites, lands rocket at sea (video)

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX launched yet another big batch of its Starlink broadband satellites and landed a rocket on a ship at sea Thursday night (Oct. 27).

astronaut samantha cristoforett leaning on the multi-pane cupola window on the space station and looking outside

Rooms with a view: Astronauts have design ideas for new space stations

By Elizabeth Howell published

Newly returned International Space Station astronauts say they were impressed with their quarters, but new tech and design thinking could push new commercial stations even further.

SpaceX posted this photo on Twitter on Oct. 23, 2022. It shows the three boosters that make up the first stage of the Falcon Heavy rocket that will fly the USSF-44 mission for the U.S. Space Force. That mission could launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida as soon as Oct. 31.

SpaceX gearing up for 1st Falcon Heavy launch since 2019 (photo)

By Mike Wall published

SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, the most powerful rocket in the world, is getting ready to take flight for the first time in more than three years.

SpaceX's Mechazilla launch tower lifts the Ship 24 Starship prototype onto Booster 7 at Starbase on Oct. 20, 2022.

Watch SpaceX stack its Starship megarocket using giant 'chopsticks' (video)

By Mike Wall published

The video, which SpaceX tweeted out on Friday (Oct. 21), captures the stacking of a Starship vehicle on Thursday (Oct. 20).

European Space Agency's director general Josef Aschbacher.

SpaceX replaces Russia on 2 European launches after Ukraine invasion

By Brett Tingley published

The European Space Agency has chosen SpaceX to replace Russia's space agency to launch two of its missions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

astronaut samantha cristoforetti upside down in a space station module in a white suit

This space station astronaut's '2001' cosplay in orbit began with Velcro and thrift store duds (video)

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti did some last-minute shopping as part of her larger bid to promote fun and teamwork in orbit. Food also played a role.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 takes off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Oct. 20, 2022.

SpaceX launches 54 Starlink more satellites, lands rocket in 100th mission from Florida pad

By Elizabeth Howell last updated

SpaceX continues to expand its Starlink constellation with a launch of 54 satellites on Thursday (Oct. 20).

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 54 of the company's Starlink internet satellites lifts off from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Sept. 18, 2022.

What's going on with Elon Musk, SpaceX's Starlink and Ukraine? Here's what we know.

By Mike Wall published

It's understandable if you're a bit confused about the funding situation with SpaceX's Starlink satellite-internet service in Ukraine.

The exterior of SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California as seen on July 22, 2018.

SpaceX technician in coma after rocket test accident: report

By Brett Tingley published

A SpaceX technician suffered a head injury that placed him in a coma for two months while performing a pressure check on a rocket engine, according to reports.

A satellite photograph of an Airbus Beluga ST unloading a Eutelsat Hotbird satellite at Kennedy Space Center.

Satellites spot gargantuan Airbus Beluga jet unloading satellite for SpaceX launch (photo)

By Brett Tingley published

Satellites watched as an absolutely massive Airbus Beluga aircraft unloaded a telecommunications satellite at Kennedy Space Center ahead of a planned SpaceX launch.

polaris dawn crew members in black jumpsuits pose in front of spacex starship hardware

SpaceX's private Polaris Dawn mission now targeting March 2023

By Mike Wall published

The historic Polaris Dawn mission to Earth orbit will now lift off no earlier than March 2023.