History of SpaceX launch vehicles in Timeline

SpaceX produces the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch vehicles, both powered by Merlin engines and featuring reusable first stages. These vehicles support SpaceX's launch services and exploration objectives. Currently, SpaceX is developing the Starship launch system, a fully reusable vehicle intended to supersede the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Dragon spacecraft.

December 2011: Stratolaunch Systems to Contract with SpaceX for Falcon 9 Air Development

In December 2011, Stratolaunch Systems announced a contract with SpaceX to develop the Falcon 9 Air, an air-launched, multi-stage launch vehicle based on Falcon 9 technology, for the Stratolaunch project, aiming to place satellites into low Earth orbit and explore a human-rated version.

November 27, 2012: Stratolaunch Partners with Orbital Sciences Corporation

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

2012: SpaceX and Stratolaunch End Contractual Relationship

In 2012, SpaceX and Stratolaunch amicably agreed to end their contractual relationship because the launch vehicle design had departed significantly from the Falcon derivative vehicle envisioned by SpaceX, not fitting well with SpaceX's long-term strategic business model.

May 2013: Falcon 9 Air Replaced by Orbital Sciences Pegasus II Rocket

In May 2013, the Falcon 9 Air was eventually replaced in the 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, SES-8, to geostationary orbit, and followed it with Thaicom 6 a month later, beginning to offer competition to the European and Russian launch providers in the commercial communications satellite market.

2013: SpaceX Builds Large Manifest of Launches

By late 2013, SpaceX had built a large manifest of over 50 launches, with two-thirds for commercial customers, exclusive of US government flights, due to highly competitive prices.

2013: ULA Maintains Need for Subsidy Despite SpaceX's Competitive Pricing

In early 2013, United Launch Alliance (ULA) maintained that it required a large annual subsidy to remain financially viable, citing a lack of market opportunity, despite SpaceX pricing its product offerings well below its competition, a stance that seemed to conflict with the market itself.

2015: Expected first test flight of the carrier aircraft

In 2015, the first test flight of the carrier aircraft was expected to take place from Scaled Composites' facilities in Mojave, California, as part of the Stratolaunch Systems project.

2016: Expected first test launch of the rocket

In 2016, the first test launch of the rocket was expected to take place as part of the Stratolaunch Systems project.

January 10, 2023: SpaceX Had A Rare Coincidence on All Four Launch Pads

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

2024: Projected Availability of Ariane 6

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