SpaceX, or Space Exploration Technologies Corp., founded in 2002, is an American space technology company and a dominant launch provider. It designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft, including the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, Dragon spacecraft, and Starship. SpaceX partners with organizations like NASA and the United States Armed Forces and is known for its advancements in reusable launch vehicles, human spaceflight, and satellite constellation technology like Starlink. Key words: launch provider, reusable rockets, space exploration, Starlink, Falcon, Dragon, Starship, NASA.
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Garrett Reisman stepped down from his full-time position at SpaceX in May 2018 and became a Professor of Astronautical Engineering in the Viterbi School at the University of Southern California in June 2018.
Garrett Reisman served in multiple capacities at SpaceX, most recently as Director of Space Operations.
The 13th and 14th satellites were launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-14 rideshare mission.
Garrett Reisman served at SpaceX in multiple capacities, most recently as Director of Space Operations.
SpaceX is ranked 40th on Defense News's annual list of the 100 most important defense companies in the world, with projected revenues of $4 billion in 2024.
SpaceX specializes in rocket launches and spacecraft development and is controlled by Elon Musk.
SpaceX is a certified provider in the USSF's National Security Space Launch program, using its Falcon Heavy and Falcon 9 rockets to launch military and intelligence platforms into primarily Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
At least 183 Starshield satellites have been launched since 2025, primarily for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).
The sale of EchoStar's frequency licenses to SpaceX requires approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The first batch of Gen 4 satellites was launched under SpaceX's Transporter 13 mission in March 2023.
SpaceX uses the Starshield brand for a military satellite system designed for government and defense agencies.
SpaceX plans to use the acquired frequency bands to enhance its current Starlink satellite communications services through direct communication with smartphones.
EchoStar entered a long-term commercial agreement with SpaceX, allowing Boost Mobile subscribers to access the new service.
SpaceX regularly works with the United States Space Development Agency and the United States Space Force (USSF).
On September 8, 2025, EchoStar announced the sale of its AWS-4 and H-block frequency licenses to SpaceX for approximately $17 billion.
The Starshield system offers secure communications and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities with specialized sensors like synthetic aperture radars (SAR).
SpaceX previously conducted landings at Landing Zones 1 and 2 in Cape Canaveral, but had to stop using Landing Zone 1 due to a lease expiration.
SpaceX has received authorization for 56 landings at Landing Zones 1 and 2, but has never approached that limit in actual landings.
An environmental assessment is pending for SpaceX operations at Launch Complex 39-A of the Kennedy Space Center for Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launches.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published a draft environmental assessment of SpaceX's plans to increase launches from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral.