SpaceX, a launch provider, currently produces and operates two Falcon 9 rockets: the medium-lift Falcon 9 Block 5 and the heavy-lift Falcon Heavy. Both rockets utilize SpaceX's Merlin engines and employ vertical takeoff, vertical landing (VTVL) technology for first-stage reusability. The company is also developing Starship, a fully reusable launch system intended to replace the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Dragon spacecraft.
2008: COTS Demo Flight 1 Delay
Originally slated for the second quarter of 2008, the COTS Demo Flight 1 experienced delays and was eventually launched in December 2010
2011: Falcon 9 Air Development Begins
Development of Falcon 9 Air, an air-launched version of the Falcon 9 designed to be carried by the Stratolaunch aircraft, began in 2011.
September 2012: Grasshopper's First Hops
The Grasshopper VTVL rocket commenced flight testing in September 2012 with a series of short hops, marking the start of SpaceX's reusable rocket program.
November 2012: Grasshopper's Second Hop
In November 2012, Grasshopper completed its second test hop, reaching a height of approximately 5.4 meters.
December 2012: Grasshopper's Extended Hover
Grasshopper's December 2012 test involved a 29-second flight and an extended hover at 40 meters, demonstrating controlled descent and landing.
2012: Falcon 9 Air Development Continues
Development of Falcon 9 Air continued in 2012.
May 2013: Pegasus II Replaces Falcon 9 Air
In May 2013, the planned Falcon 9 Air was officially replaced by the Orbital Sciences Pegasus II as the launch vehicle for the Stratolaunch project.
September 29, 2013: Falcon 9 v1.1 Maiden Flight
On September 29, 2013, the Falcon 9 v1.1 debuted from Vandenberg Air Force Base. This upgraded version featured stretched stages, a redesigned engine arrangement, and increased payload capacity.
October 7, 2013: Grasshopper's Highest Flight
On October 7, 2013, Grasshopper achieved its highest test flight, reaching an altitude of 744 meters before landing vertically.
October 2013: Grasshopper's Final Flight
Grasshopper concluded its testing phase in October 2013 with its eighth and final successful flight.
December 2013: SpaceX Enters Geostationary Market
SpaceX launched its first satellite, SES-8, to geostationary orbit in December 2013, followed by Thaicom 6 a month later, marking its entry into the competitive commercial satellite market.
2013: SpaceX's Growing Launch Manifest
By late 2013, SpaceX had accumulated a substantial manifest of over 50 launches, with a significant portion attributed to commercial customers.
2013: SpaceX's Competitive Pricing
In early 2013, SpaceX's significantly lower launch prices compared to competitors like ULA raised questions about ULA's claims of needing subsidies to stay afloat.
2013: Merlin 1D Engine for Falcon 9 Air
In 2013, The Merlin 1D engines, also intended for the Falcon 9 v1.1 and Falcon Heavy, were slated to power the Falcon 9 Air.
2014: Merlin 1D Engine for Falcon Heavy
In 2014, The Merlin 1D engines, also intended for the Falcon 9 v1.1 and Falcon 9 Air, were slated to power the Falcon Heavy.
2015: Planned First Test Flight of Stratolaunch Aircraft
The initial test flight of the Stratolaunch carrier aircraft was anticipated in 2015.
2016: Planned First Flight of Falcon 9 Air
The first flight of the Falcon 9 Air was tentatively scheduled for 2016.
2016: Planned First Test Launch of Falcon 9 Air
The first test launch of the Falcon 9 Air rocket, to be launched from the Stratolaunch aircraft, was projected for 2016.