History of SpaceX in Timeline
SpaceX, founded in 2002, is an American space technology company. It has revolutionized space technology through innovations in rocket propulsion, reusable launch vehicles, human spaceflight, and satellite constellations. By 2024, SpaceX had become the leading global space launch provider, surpassing both private competitors and national space programs. SpaceX maintains close collaborative relationships with governmental organizations like NASA and the United States Armed Forces through government contracts.
4 hours ago : SpaceX Starship Flight 9 Approved for Launch on May 27 After Failures.
SpaceX received FAA approval for the Starship Flight 9 launch. The launch is scheduled for May 27, following two previous explosive test flight failures. This launch aims to further test Starship's capabilities.
2001: Elon Musk Joins Mars Society and Announces Mars Oasis
In early 2001, Elon Musk met Robert Zubrin, donated $100,000 to the Mars Society, and joined its board of directors for a short time. He announced Mars Oasis, a project to land a greenhouse and grow plants on Mars and attempted to acquire a Dnepr launch vehicle through Russian contacts.
2002: Elon Musk Seeks Staff for SpaceX
In early 2002, Elon Musk started to look for staff for his company, SpaceX. He approached five people for initial positions and SpaceX was first headquartered in a warehouse in El Segundo, California.
2004: SpaceX Protests NASA Contract
In 2004, SpaceX protested a NASA sole-source contract awarded to Kistler Aerospace to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). NASA withdrew the contract and formed the COTS program before the GAO could respond.
November 2005: SpaceX Employee Count Reaches 160
By November 2005, SpaceX had grown to 160 employees. Musk personally interviewed and approved all of SpaceX's early employees.
2005: SpaceX Announces Human-Rated Space Program
In 2005, SpaceX announced its plans to pursue a human-rated commercial space program by the end of the decade, which would later become the Dragon spacecraft.
2005: Decision to Develop Falcon 9
In 2005, SpaceX decided to proceed with the development of the Falcon 9, a reusable heavier lift vehicle, instead of the Falcon 5.
2006: NASA Awards SpaceX COTS Contract
In 2006, NASA selected SpaceX and awarded $396 million for crew and cargo resupply demonstration contracts to the International Space Station (ISS) under the COTS program.
2006: First Falcon 1 Launch
In 2006, the first launch of the Falcon 1 rocket, purchased by the United States Department of Defense under the DARPA Falcon Project, resulted in failure.
September 28, 2008: Falcon 1 Achieves Successful Launch
On September 28, 2008, SpaceX achieved its first successful launch with the Falcon 1 on its fourth attempt, saving the company from near bankruptcy. Elon Musk split his remaining $30 million between SpaceX and Tesla. NASA then awarded SpaceX a $1.6 billion CRS contract in December.
2008: Falcon 1 Achieves Orbit
In 2008, after three unsuccessful attempts, the Falcon 1 rocket successfully launched into orbit, marking a major milestone for SpaceX.
2008: Third Falcon 1 Launch Failure
In 2008, the third consecutive launch of the Falcon 1 rocket resulted in failure, pushing the company to the brink of collapse. Tesla Motors' financing had also failed at the same time.
June 2010: First Falcon 9 Launch
In June 2010, the Falcon 9 launched for the first time with the Dragon Spacecraft Qualification Unit, a mockup of the Dragon spacecraft, as part of the COTS contract.
December 2010: Operational Dragon Spacecraft Launched and Returned
In December 2010, the first operational Dragon spacecraft was launched aboard COTS Demo Flight 1 on the Falcon 9's second flight. It safely returned to Earth after two orbits, completing all mission objectives. By this time, SpaceX was manufacturing one Falcon 9 and Dragon every three months.
April 2011: NASA Awards SpaceX Contract for Dragon Escape System
In April 2011, NASA issued a $75 million contract to SpaceX to develop an integrated launch escape system for the Dragon spacecraft in preparation for human-rating it as a crew transport vehicle to the ISS.
2011: SpaceX Awarded First NASA Contract for Astronaut Transportation
In 2011, SpaceX was awarded its first contract by NASA as part of the Commercial Crew Development (CCDev) program. The program aimed to develop commercially operated spacecraft capable of delivering astronauts to the ISS.
May 2012: Dragon Becomes First Commercial Spacecraft to Deliver Cargo to ISS
In May 2012, with the Dragon C2+ launch, Dragon became the first commercial spacecraft to deliver cargo to the International Space Station. The company's private equity valuation nearly doubled to $2.4 billion or $20/share.
August 2012: NASA Awards SpaceX Contract for Crew Transportation System Design
In August 2012, NASA awarded SpaceX a fixed-price Space Act Agreement (SAA) to produce a detailed design of the crew transportation system.
October 2012: SpaceX CRS-1 Launched
In October 2012, SpaceX CRS-1, the first of 12 planned resupply missions under the CRS contract, was launched. It achieved orbit, berthed with the ISS, remained on station for 20 days, and then re-entered the atmosphere, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.
December 2012: SpaceX Announces Launch Contracts with the DoD
In December 2012, SpaceX announced its first two launch contracts with the United States Department of Defense (DoD). The United States Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center awarded SpaceX two EELV-class missions: Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) and Space Test Program 2 (STP-2).
2012: SpaceX Begins Commercial Resupply Services to ISS
In 2012, SpaceX completed its COTS test flights and began delivering Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) missions to the International Space Station (ISS). The company also initiated development of reusable hardware for the Falcon 9 first stage.
2012: SpaceX Receives Additional NASA Contract for Dragon 2 Development
In 2012, SpaceX received another contract from NASA to continue the development and testing of its Dragon 2 spacecraft, as part of the Commercial Crew Development program.
2012: SpaceX Begins Reusability Test Program
In late 2012, SpaceX initiated its active reusability test program, focusing on low-altitude, low-speed aspects of landing technology using Falcon 9 prototypes.
2013: SpaceX Launches First Commercial Mission
In 2013, SpaceX launched its first commercial mission for a private customer, marking a step towards diversifying its revenue streams.
2013: High-Velocity Reusability Tests Begin
In late 2013, SpaceX began high-velocity, high-altitude tests of booster atmospheric return technology, furthering the development of reusable rockets.
2013: SpaceX Lowers Launch Prices
Prior to 2013, the openly competed comsat launch market had been dominated by Arianespace (flying the Ariane 5) and International Launch Services (flying the Proton). With a published price of $56.5 million per launch to low Earth orbit, Falcon 9 rockets were the least expensive in the industry.
September 2014: SpaceX Awarded Commercial Crew Transportation Capability (CCtCap) Contract
In September 2014, NASA awarded SpaceX the Commercial Crew Transportation Capability (CCtCap) contract to finalize the development of the Crew Transportation System. The contract included several milestones, flight tests, and operational missions.
January 2015: SpaceX Raises $1 Billion from Google and Fidelity, Announces Starlink
In January 2015, SpaceX raised $1 billion in funding from Google and Fidelity Investments, establishing the company valuation at approximately $12 billion. The same month, SpaceX announced the development of Starlink, a satellite constellation to provide global broadband internet service.
May 2015: SpaceX Completes Pad Abort Test
In May 2015, SpaceX successfully completed the first key flight test of its Crew Dragon spacecraft, known as the Pad Abort Test.
June 2015: Falcon 9 CRS-7 Mission Failure
In late June 2015, the Falcon 9 experienced its first major failure when the CRS-7 ISS resupply mission exploded two minutes into the flight due to a failed steel strut within the rocket.
December 2015: First Successful Landing and Recovery of Falcon 9 First Stage
In December 2015, SpaceX achieved a successful landing and recovery of a Falcon 9 first stage for the first time, marking a major milestone in reusability efforts.
2015: First Successful First-Stage Landing
In 2015, SpaceX successfully demonstrated the first landing of a Falcon 9 first stage, marking a significant advancement in reusable rocket technology.
2015: ULA Anticipates Business Slump
In 2015, anticipating a slump in domestic, military, and spy launches, United Launch Alliance (ULA) stated that it would go out of business unless it won commercial satellite launch orders.
2015: DSCOVR Launched on Falcon 9
In 2015, the Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) was launched on a Falcon 9 launch vehicle.
2015: Falcon 9 v1.1 Certified for NSSL
In 2015, the Falcon 9 v1.1 was certified for National Security Space Launch (NSSL), allowing SpaceX to contract launch services to the Air Force for classified payloads.
January 2016: NASA Awards Second Phase of CRS Contracts
In January 2016, NASA awarded a second phase of Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contracts, with SpaceX being one of the awardees, to fly up to nine additional CRS flights using the upgraded Dragon 2 spacecraft.
April 2016: First Landing on Autonomous Spaceport Drone Ship
In April 2016, SpaceX achieved the first successful landing of a Falcon 9 first stage on the autonomous spaceport drone ship (ASDS) Of Course I Still Love You in the Atlantic Ocean.
April 2016: SpaceX Awarded First National Security Launch Contract
In April 2016, the U.S. Air Force awarded SpaceX the first national security launch contract to launch the second GPS III satellite for $82.7 million.
September 2016: Falcon 9 Explodes During Static Fire Test
In early September 2016, a Falcon 9 exploded during a propellant fill operation for a standard pre-launch static fire test, destroying the AMOS-6 communications satellite. Liquid oxygen solidified and ignited with carbon composite helium vessels which caused the explosion.
October 2016: Discount Offered for Reused Falcon 9 Flights
By October 2016, SpaceX began offering customers a 10% price discount if they chose to fly their payload on a reused Falcon 9 first stage.
2016: Alleged Sexual Misconduct on a Private Jet
According to a Business Insider article published in May 2022, in 2016 Musk allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct with a SpaceX flight attendant in a private jet.
January 2017: SpaceX Returns to Flight After Explosion
In January 2017, SpaceX returned to flight after a four-month launch hiatus following the Falcon 9 explosion during a static fire test.
March 2017: First Re-launch of Payload-Carrying Orbital Rocket
In March 2017, SpaceX launched a returned Falcon 9 for the SES-10 satellite, marking the first time a re-launch of a payload-carrying orbital rocket went back to space. The first stage was recovered again, making it the first landing of a reused orbital class rocket.
May 1, 2017: First NRO Launch Purchased from SpaceX
On May 1, 2017, the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) had its first launch purchased from SpaceX take place.
July 2017: SpaceX Valuation Reaches $21 Billion
In July 2017, SpaceX raised $350 million, raising its valuation to $21 billion.
2017: First Re-launch of Falcon 9 First Stage
In 2017, SpaceX achieved the first re-launch of a Falcon 9 first stage, further validating the concept of reusable rockets.
2017: SpaceX Dragon 2 Certification Target
In 2017, SpaceX aimed to complete and certify the Dragon 2 spacecraft for NASA crew transportation, as per the contract awarded in September 2014.
March 2018: SpaceX Leads in Commercial Launch Contracts
By March 2018, SpaceX had over 100 launches on its manifest, representing approximately $12 billion in contract revenue from commercial and government customers, making it the leading global commercial launch provider.
March 2018: SpaceX Secures Additional Contract for GPS III Satellites
In March 2018, SpaceX secured an additional $290 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to launch another three GPS III satellites.
2018: Falcon Heavy's First Flight
After more than a decade of development, Falcon Heavy, built from three Falcon 9 boosters, had its first flight in 2018.
February 2019: SpaceX Secures $297 Million Air Force Contract
In February 2019, SpaceX secured a $297 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to launch another three national security missions, slated to launch no earlier than FY 2021.
June 25, 2019: SpaceX Launches STP-2 on Falcon Heavy
On June 25, 2019, SpaceX launched Space Test Program 2 (STP-2) on a Falcon Heavy launch vehicle for the United States Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center.
2019: First Starlink Satellite Online
In 2019, the first operational satellite of the Starlink internet satellite constellation became operational, generating the bulk of SpaceX's income in subsequent years and paving the way for Starshield.
2019: SpaceX Conducts Uncrewed Test Flight
In early 2019, SpaceX successfully conducted a full uncrewed test flight. The capsule docked to the ISS and then splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean.
January 2020: SpaceX Conducts In-Flight Abort Test
In January 2020, SpaceX conducted an in-flight abort test, the last test flight before flying crew, in which the Dragon spacecraft fired its launch escape engines in a simulated abort scenario.
April 2020: Dragon 1 Retired
In April 2020, the final Dragon 1 mission, SpaceX CRS-20, departed the ISS, and Dragon was subsequently retired from service.
May 2020: NASA Reports Increase in Commercial Launch Market Share
In May 2020, NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine remarked that thanks to NASA's investments into SpaceX, the United States has 70% of the commercial launch market, a major improvement since 2012 when there were no commercial launches from the country.
June 20, 2020: SpaceX Launches Third GPS III Satellite
On June 20, 2020, SpaceX launched the third GPS III satellite.
August 2020: SpaceX Wins NSSL Contract
In August 2020, the U.S. Space Force awarded its National Security Space Launch (NSSL) contracts for the following 5–7 years. SpaceX won a contract for $316 million for one launch and will handle 40% of the U.S. military's satellite launch requirements over the period.
November 16, 2020: Crew-1 Mission Launched to the ISS
On November 16, 2020, the Crew-1 mission was successfully launched to the International Space Station with NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover and Shannon Walker along with JAXA astronaut Soichi Noguchi, all members of the Expedition 64 crew.
2020: Dragon 2 Crewed Missions Begin
In 2020, SpaceX started operating its Dragon 2 capsules to deliver crewed missions for NASA and private entities. Around this time, SpaceX began building test prototypes for Starship.
April 23, 2021: Crew-2 Launched to ISS
On April 23, 2021, the Crew-2 mission was launched to the International Space Station with NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough and K. Megan McArthur, JAXA astronaut Akihiko Hoshide, and ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet.
April 24, 2021: Crew-2 Docks with ISS
On April 24, 2021, the Crew-2 mission successfully docked with the International Space Station.
December 2021: Claims of Workplace Sexual Harassment at SpaceX
In December 2021, claims of workplace sexual harassment from five former SpaceX employees were published. The former employees claimed to have experienced unwanted advances and uncomfortable interactions, along with claims of a culture of sexual harassment existing at the company and one where complaints made to executives, managers, and human resources officers went largely unaddressed.
2021: Inspiration4 Launched
In 2021, SpaceX launched its first paid crewed spaceflight for private individuals, the Inspiration4 mission, on behalf of Shift4 Payments CEO Jared Isaacman. The mission launched the Crew Dragon Resilience from Florida and placed the Dragon capsule into low Earth orbit.
May 2022: Business Insider Article Alleges Sexual Misconduct by Musk
In May 2022, a Business Insider article alleged that Musk engaged in sexual misconduct with a SpaceX flight attendant in a private jet in 2016, citing an anonymous friend of the flight attendant. In response, some employees collaborated on an open letter condemning "Elon's harmful Twitter behavior".
November 2022: SpaceX Announces Executive Changes at Starbase
In November 2022, SpaceX announced that COO Gwynne Shotwell and vice president Mark Juncosa would oversee Starbase, its Texas launch facility, along with Omead Afshar, who at the time oversaw operations for Tesla in Texas.
August 2023: DOJ Files Lawsuit Against SpaceX for Discrimination
In August 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against SpaceX for discriminating against refugees and asylum seekers in its hiring process, alleging that the company violated the Immigration and Nationality Act by rejecting refugees and asylum recipients and hiring only U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
2023: Reuters Reports High Injury Rates at SpaceX
In 2023, Reuters reported that "SpaceX employees say they’re paying the price for the billionaire’s push to colonize space at breakneck speed". An examination of OSHA's records revealed injury rates higher than the industry's averages. In addition, Reuters documented at least 600 previously unreported workplace injuries at SpaceX, including "crushed limbs, amputations, electrocutions, head and eye wounds and one death."
March 2024: Reuters Reports SpaceX Building Spy Satellite Network
In March 2024, Reuters reported that, as part of a $1.8 billion contract signed with the National Reconnaissance Office in 2021, SpaceX is building a network of hundreds of spy satellites able to operate as a swarm in low orbits.
June 2024: Ex-Employees File Lawsuit Against Musk and SpaceX
In June 2024, eight ex-employees, who had previously been fired for penning the open letter against Elon Musk, filed a lawsuit against Musk and SpaceX alleging sexual harassment and discrimination.
October 2024: Falcon 9 Reaches High Flight Cadence
As of October 2024, SpaceX's Falcon 9 rockets had landed and flown again more than 330 times, reaching a launch cadence of 1–2 launches per week.
December 2024: WSJ Reports Musk Doesn't Have Access to Government Secrets
In December 2024, WSJ reported that Musk didn't have access to government secrets.
December 2024: Federal Agencies Investigate SpaceX
In December 2024, federal agencies investigated SpaceX for security violations as well as Musk's alleged drug use.
2024: SpaceX Dominance in Space Launch
As of 2024, SpaceX had become the world's dominant space launch provider, surpassing other private competitors and national programs. SpaceX, NASA, and the United States Armed Forces maintained a close working relationship through governmental contracts.
2024: SpaceX Operates Rideshare and Bandwagon Programs
As of 2024, SpaceX operates Rideshare and Bandwagon (mid inclination) programs, providing additional competition for small satellite launchers.
2024: SpaceX Revenue Estimated at Over $10 Billion
In 2024, it was estimated by a space industry newspaper that SpaceX has a revenue of over $10 billion. SpaceX is not publicly traded.
February 2025: DOJ Files Motion to Dismiss Case Against SpaceX
In February 2025, the DOJ filed a motion to dismiss the case against SpaceX with prejudice.
2025: Starship Flight 7 rocket explosion
In 2025, the SpaceX Starship Flight 7 rocket exploded, sending debris across the Caribbean Sea and releasing significant harmful air pollution into the upper atmosphere.
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