History of SpaceX launch vehicles in Timeline

SpaceX produces launch vehicles for its launch services and exploration objectives. Currently, it operates the Falcon 9 Block 5 (medium-lift) and Falcon Heavy (heavy-lift), both utilizing reusable first stages and powered by Merlin engines. Starship, a fully reusable launch system, is under development to eventually supersede the Falcon series and Dragon spacecraft.

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 contract. This effectively ended the development of the Falcon 9 Air.

2012: SpaceX and Stratolaunch end contractual relationship

In the fourth quarter of 2012, SpaceX and Stratolaunch amicably ended their contractual relationship. This was because the Stratolaunch launch vehicle design had significantly deviated from the Falcon derivative envisioned by SpaceX and did not align 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 the Stratolaunch 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. This marked the beginning of SpaceX competing with European and Russian launch providers in the commercial communications satellite market.

2013: SpaceX builds large manifest of over 50 launches

In 2013, SpaceX offered Falcon rockets at competitive prices, resulting in a large manifest of over 50 launches, with two-thirds for commercial customers excluding US government flights.

2013: ULA requires 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, designed by Burt Rutan and built by Scaled Composites, was originally expected to occur 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 was originally expected to occur, according to the initial project timeline.

January 10, 2023: SpaceX had four rockets and two Dragon 2s on orbit

On January 10, 2023, SpaceX had a rare coincidence of 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) on orbit.