History of SpaceX launch vehicles in Timeline

SpaceX develops launch vehicles like the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and the future Starship. Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy utilize reusable first stages powered by Merlin engines. Starship, currently in development, aims to be fully reusable and will eventually replace the Falcon series and Dragon spacecraft. These vehicles support SpaceX's launch services and exploration objectives.

November 27, 2012: Stratolaunch partners with Orbital Sciences Corporation

On November 27, 2012, Stratolaunch announced a partnership with Orbital Sciences Corporation for an air-launched vehicle study, effectively ending the development of the Falcon 9 Air.

2012: SpaceX and Stratolaunch end contractual relationship

In 2012, SpaceX and Stratolaunch amicably ended their contractual relationship because the Stratolaunch launch vehicle design had significantly diverged from the Falcon derivative vehicle initially envisioned by SpaceX, making it incompatible with SpaceX's long-term strategic business model.

May 2013: Falcon 9 Air replaced by Orbital Sciences Pegasus II

In May 2013, the Falcon 9 Air was replaced in Stratolaunch's development plan by the Orbital Sciences Pegasus II air-launched rocket.

December 2013: SpaceX launches first satellite to geostationary orbit

In December 2013, SpaceX launched its first satellite to geostationary orbit (SES-8), followed by Thaicom 6 a month later, marking the beginning of competition with European and Russian launch providers in the commercial communications satellite market.

2013: SpaceX builds large manifest of over 50 launches

By late 2013, SpaceX had built a large manifest of over 50 launches for its Falcon rockets due to competitive pricing, with two-thirds of these launches for commercial customers, excluding US government flights.

2013: ULA maintains need for subsidy despite SpaceX prices

In early 2013, despite SpaceX offering competitive prices in the US launch industry, United Launch Alliance (ULA) maintained that it required a large annual subsidy to remain financially viable, citing a lack of market opportunity, a claim that conflicted with the existing market dynamics.

2015: First test flight of the carrier aircraft expected

In 2015, the first test flight of the Stratolaunch carrier aircraft, designed by Burt Rutan and built by Scaled Composites, was expected from Scaled Composites' facilities in Mojave, California.

2016: First test launch of the rocket expected

In 2016, the first test launch of the Stratolaunch rocket, which was under development, was expected, marking a key milestone in the project's progress.

January 10, 2023: SpaceX rockets and Dragon 2s on orbital launch pads and in orbit

On January 10, 2023, SpaceX had a rare occurrence of four rockets (operational and under-development types) on all four of its orbital launch pads and two Dragon 2s (both types) in orbit.

2024: Projected availability of Ariane 6

In 2024, the Ariane 6 is projected to be available, but SpaceX prices for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy are significantly lower than the projected prices for Ariane 6.