SpaceX (Space Exploration Technologies Corporation)

The SpaceX Falcon 9 heavy-lift launch vehicle which achieved a successful maiden launch from Cape Canaveral in June 2010. This rocket could soon be servicing the space station, as well as lofting commercial satellites. Image: SpaceX

An aerospace company that is developing the Falcon family (see Falcon 1 and Falcon 9) of launch vehicles with a stated goal to reduce the cost and increase the reliability of access to space. SpaceX was founded in 2002 by South African born entrepreneur Elon Musk and has its headquarters in El Segundo, California.

In August 2006, NASA announced that it would be giving a combined total of about $500 million to SpaceX and Rocketplane Kistler to help fund the development of reliable, cost-effective access to low-Earth orbit and, in particular, to demonstrate the vehicles, systems, and operations needed to support a human facility such as International Space Station. Payments to each company will be incremental and based upon the partners' progress against a schedule of agreed performance milestones.

At 10:43 EST on December 8, 2010, SpaceX successfully launched its Dragon spacecraft from Cape Canaveral. The craft separated about 10 minutes after launch, reaching its 300km-high orbit shortly after. After completing several maneuvers orbit, the capsule splashed down in the Pacific. SpaceX thus became the first private launch company to place a vehicle in Earth orbit.

Related category

• AEROSPACE AND RELATED COMPANIES

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