What Is SpaceX?

It’s been more than 50 years since humans last set foot on the Moon, but SpaceX, an aerospace company headed by Elon Musk, is determined to end that streak. In partnership with NASA, the company aims to establish a sustained presence on the Moon — and eventually colonize Mars. Fueling these lofty goals is a strategy that emphasizes rapid development and reusability, with the goal of making deep space travel more affordable and accessible.

Space exploration is still a complicated endeavor — made even more so by growing scrutiny around SpaceX’s business practices and Musk’s influence on government policy. Still, the company has played a massive role in driving the industry forward, from pioneering reusable rockets to launching thousands of Starlink satellites. Take a look at what the company has achieved thus far, what it’s working on now and where it’s going next.

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What Is SpaceX?

SpaceX is an American aerospace company owned by billionaire and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk. The company creates commercial spacecraft, with the goal of sending humans to the Moon and Mars. 

Since its founding in 2002, SpaceX has become known for its reusable rockets, which can complete multiple missions instead of being discarded after one launch. In addition to space travel, SpaceX operates Starlink, a service that delivers broadband internet access to customers across the globe — including remote and underserved locations — via a growing network of low-Earth-orbit satellites. 

Notable SpaceX Projects and Technologies

From broadband internet to booster rockets, SpaceX has cemented itself as a mainstay in the aerospace sector over the past two decades. These are some of the company’s most notable projects.

Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy are reusable rockets designed to carry people and cargo into orbit and farther. The Falcon 9 was initially launched in 2010 and is considered the “first orbital class rocket capable of reflight,” according to SpaceX. The Falcon Heavy would follow with its first flight in 2018, going on to support several NASA missions. While both rockets are powered by SpaceX’s Merlin engine, the Heavy can handle much larger loads than the Falcon 9, with the ability to carry nearly 141,000 pounds. 

Dragon Spacecraft

The Dragon Spacecraft is designed to ferry cargo and people to and from Earth’s orbit, with the capacity to carry up to seven passengers. In 2020, the Dragon began supporting NASA missions to and from the International Space Station (ISS), becoming the first private spacecraft to transport humans to the ISS. To this day, it continues to complete ISS trips, equipping the station with critical supplies and returning scientific experiments to Earth for further analysis. 

Starship

Consisting of the Starship upper-stage spacecraft and Super Heavy booster rocket, Starship is a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry up to 100 passengers and additional cargo for longer space missions. In the future, SpaceX aims to have Starship deliver heavy cargo like telescopes and satellites to help establish and maintain a research base on the Moon. With its capabilities, Starship could even facilitate missions to colonize Mars later down the road. 

Raptor Engine

The Raptor engine is a reusable engine that relies on methane-oxygen staged combustion to double the thrust of the Merlin engine. Three Raptor engines will be paired with three Raptor Vacuum engines to power the Starship, while 33 Raptor engines will power Super Heavy. SpaceX has also simplified the design of the Raptor engine, making it lighter for more efficient space travel. 

Starlink

Starlink is SpaceX’s satellite network that delivers fast, low-latency broadband internet through low-Earth-orbiting satellites. The network continues to expand into new countries as more satellites are launched into space. In addition to standard residential plans, Starlink now offers plans for drivers, boaters and airlines.

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SpaceX Partnerships and Contracts

SpaceX has cultivated an impressive portfolio of clients, ranging from the U.S. government to transportation companies. 

NASA

As a member of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, SpaceX has supported missions to the International Space Station with its Falcon 9 and Dragon spacecraft. NASA further solidified this partnership in 2021 when it awarded SpaceX a $2.9 billion contract to develop a lunar lander for the Artemis program. In 2022, NASA modified the contract, allowing the company to perform a second crewed landing mission in 2027 as part of the Artemis IV mission. SpaceX is now starting to deliver technology to the Moon as well. 

U.S. Department of Defense

The U.S. Department of Defense has become a major customer of SpaceX, awarding the company contracts to support the National Security Space Launch program and equip the Ukrainian military with its Starlink service. In 2025, the Space Force expanded that partnership with a $5.9 billion contract for SpaceX’s launch services, with the goal of strengthening the Pentagon’s growing network of defense satellites. 

Commercial Partners

SpaceX has several commercial partners using its Starlink internet. Cruise line Carnival, train company Brightline and retailer Casey’s have all integrated Starlink into their businesses. T-Mobile has also partnered with Starlink to offer internet in ‘dead zones,’ opening up its successful beta test of T-Mobile Starlink to all customers.  

SpaceX’s Contributions to the Aerospace Industry

SpaceX has encouraged innovative methods and government buy-in for space technology, generating momentum for the aerospace industry as a whole. 

Reduced Costs of Rocket Launches

SpaceX has embraced an approach that emphasizes going fast, building rockets as quickly as possible with reusable components. While this has resulted in more failures, it has also brought down the costs of rocket development overall. In the long run, these rapid development cycles could make space exploration more viable and cost-effective. 

Increased Investment in the Space Industry

The commercial success of Musk’s SpaceX has ignited a growing rivalry with Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, as both billionaires compete for dominance in the ongoing space race. This competition has helped attract more resources and attention to space travel in general, accelerating industry growth. In fact, McKinsey predicts that the global space economy could reach $1.8 trillion by 2035, nearly tripling its value of $630 billion in 2023. 

Expanded Satellite Internet Access 

With a vast network of low-orbit satellites, Starlink provides millions of people with access to fast and reliable broadband internet. As demonstrated through its partnership with T-Mobile, Starlink has also become an option for populations in rural settings and other areas that don’t have easy access to a dependable network connection. 

Broader Government Support for Space Technology

While the long-term impact of Musk’s time as a political advisor to President Trump remains to be seen, his initial days in government proved fruitful for SpaceX and the broader space travel industry. SpaceX is continuing to expand its relationship with the Department of Defense, for example, and its Starlink satellites are being considered for Trump’s planned golden dome missile defense system. The Trump administration also increased funding for NASA’s Moon and Mars missions — projects where SpaceX is a key partner.

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Major SpaceX Milestones

Thanks to a series of breakthroughs in the late 2000s and 2010s, SpaceX has solidified its position as a key player in the aerospace industry and American space travel. Here’s a quick overview of some of its accomplishments: 

• 2008: SpaceX becomes the first private company to reach Earth orbit with the flight of Falcon 1, a liquid-fueled rocket. 
• 2012: SpaceX’s Dragon becomes the first private spacecraft to visit the ISS, docking with the help of the remotely controlled Canadarm2. 
• 2015: The Falcon 9 transports 11 satellites into orbit while its first stage successfully lands, marking the first orbital-class rocket landing. 
• 2017: SpaceX conducts the first-ever reflight of an orbital-class rocket, with the Falcon 9’s first stage successfully landing again.
• 2020: SpaceX’s Crew Dragon transports NASA astronauts to the ISS and back as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. 
• 2021: NASA taps SpaceX to build its lunar lander as part of its mission to return humans to the Moon, rewarding the company with a $2.9 billion contract. 
• 2025: The U.S. Space Force awards SpaceX, United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin with rocket launch contracts totalling $13.5 billion.  

Challenges and Criticisms of SpaceX

Although SpaceX is certainly advancing space exploration efforts, some of its practices have been called into question — particularly when it comes to their potential effects on people and the environment. 

Environmental Impact

SpaceX has often been criticized for the environmental impact of its work. Its Starlink project accounts for about 40 percent of all non-functioning satellites, filling Earth’s orbit with space debris. On the ground, its rocket testing facility Starbase is raising concerns among environmentalists and nearby residents in Boca Chica, Texas, who claim its launches are affecting soil and air quality, disrupting the wildlife and displacing local communities. 

Risks of Rapid Development

SpaceX’s fast-paced approach to building rockets with reusable parts has certainly cut costs, but it has also led to a rise in rocket explosions. This in itself is a hazard. Even with designated danger zones during launches, debris from explosions can still harm other nearby aircraft and communities if proper precautions aren’t taken. 

Regulatory Uncertainty 

SpaceX strengthened ties with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) during Musk’s time in government, leasing Starlink equipment to the agency for free. Considering the FAA’s role in regulating SpaceX, fears have been raised about conflicts of interest, as it’s unclear whether Musk used his position in the Trump administration to influence the agency for the benefit of his companies. 

Workplace Issues

SpaceX has a poor track record around workplace safety, with the company’s injury rates regularly exceeding industry averages. Its list of OSHA violations includes the death of a worker due to improperly secured equipment and a worker fracturing their skull when a rocket engine part came loose. To make matters worse, Musk has attempted to weaken workers’ rights by attacking the National Labor Relations Board and the Labor Department. 

The Future of SpaceX

SpaceX is poised to play a leading role in space travel for years to come — so long as politics don’t get in the way. 

Preparing Starship for Space Travel

SpaceX continues to make steady progress on Starship, its flagship rocket system designed for deep space travel. Although the ninth test flight ended in failure, the spacecraft did actually reach orbit this time. Starship remains central to SpaceX’s goal of sending humans to Mars by the end of 2026, and test flights will likely continue to ramp up as the deadline approaches. 

Contributing to Moon Missions  

SpaceX is involved in various missions to the Moon. In 2025, its Falcon 9 rocket launched two spacecraft that will land on the Moon as part of the Blue Ghost Mission 1 and Hakuto-R Mission 2. Of course, the main focus for SpaceX is returning humans to the Moon under NASA’s Artemis III mission, which will take place in September 2026. SpaceX is not only working on the Starship spacecraft that will travel to the Moon, but it’s also building a human landing system to bring NASA astronauts safely to the Moon’s surface. 

Providing Starlink Access to More Countries

Demand for Starlink is high, with the internet service set to become available in Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and the Democratic Republic of the Congo soon. In fact, the technology is sought after throughout Africa, where much of the population still lacks reliable internet. Starlink is already gaining traction in countries like Kenya and Nigeria, and it could extend into 10 more African countries by the end of 2025.   

Recovering From the Fallout of the Trump-Musk Feud

Musk’s time as an advisor to President Trump has descended into a feud between the two, casting doubt on the future of SpaceX and some of his other companies. The tension began with Musk criticizing Trump’s spending bill, then spiraled into an internet spat in which Trump threatened to cancel government contracts with Musk’s companies. In a since-deleted post, Musk responded by saying SpaceX would decommission its Dragon spacecraft. 

Although the situation appears to have cooled off for now — with Musk walking back many of his statements — either side could escalate things again, potentially disrupting U.S. space exploration in the process.

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