History of SpaceX launch vehicles in Timeline

SpaceX produces the Falcon 9, a medium-lift launch vehicle, and the Falcon Heavy, a heavy-lift launch vehicle. Both utilize SpaceX's Merlin engines and vertical takeoff, vertical landing (VTVL) technology for first-stage reuse. Currently, SpaceX is developing the fully reusable Starship launch system, intended to supersede the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Dragon spacecraft. The Starship is designed for complete reusability.

November 27, 2012: Stratolaunch partners with Orbital Sciences Corporation

On November 27, 2012, Stratolaunch announced a partnership with Orbital Sciences Corporation, initially 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 ended their contractual relationship because the Stratolaunch launch vehicle design had departed significantly from the Falcon derivative vehicle envisioned by SpaceX and did not align with SpaceX's long-term strategic business model.

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

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

December 2013: SpaceX launches its first satellite to geostationary orbit

In December 2013, SpaceX launched its first satellite, SES-8, to geostationary orbit.

2013: SpaceX builds a large manifest of over 50 launches

By late 2013, SpaceX's competitive pricing allowed them to build a large manifest of over 50 launches, with two-thirds for commercial customers, excluding US government flights.

2013: ULA requires a large annual subsidy

In early 2013, United Launch Alliance (ULA) maintained that it required a large annual subsidy to remain financially viable, despite SpaceX's competitive pricing, citing a lack of market opportunity.

2015: First test flight of the carrier aircraft expected

In 2015, the first test flight of the Stratolaunch carrier aircraft was originally expected to take place at Scaled Composites' facilities in Mojave, California.

2016: First test launch of the rocket expected

In 2016, the first test launch of the Stratolaunch rocket was expected to take place, according to the initial project plans.

January 10, 2023: SpaceX had a rare coincidence of four rockets on all four of its orbital launch pads and two Dragon 2s on orbit

On January 10, 2023, SpaceX had a rare event where four rockets, of all operational and under-development types, were on all four of its orbital launch pads, and two Dragon 2 spacecraft, of both types, were in orbit.