The Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) is a space-transportation startup company founded by Elon Musk. The term privately held company refers to ownership of a business company in two different ways first referring to ownership by non-governmental organizations and second Hawthorne is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County California. Elon Musk (born 28 June 1971) is an Entrepreneur and a co-founder of PayPal and SpaceX. A chief executive officer ( CEO) or chief executive is typically the highest-ranking corporate officer ( executive) or administrator A chief technical officer or chief technology officer (abbreviated as CTO) is an executive position whose holder is focused on scientific and technical issues within For other uses of this term see Industry (disambiguation An industry (from Latin industrius, "diligent industrious" Aerospace engineering is the branch of Engineering behind the design construction and science of Aircraft and Spacecraft. In Marketing, a product is anything that can be offered to a Market that might satisfy a want or need An orbital spaceflight (or orbital flight is a Spaceflight in which a Spacecraft is placed on a trajectory where it could remain in space for at least A rocket launch is the first phase of the flight of a Rocket. In business revenue or revenues is Income that a company receives from its normal business activities usually from the sale of goods and services Employment is a Contract between two parties, one being the employer and the other being the employee. A website (alternatively web site or Web site, a back-construction from the Proper noun World Wide Web) is a collection of Web pages Space transport is the use of Spacecraft to Transport people or cargo through Outer space. A startup company or start-up is a Company with a limited operating history Elon Musk (born 28 June 1971) is an Entrepreneur and a co-founder of PayPal and SpaceX. Its goal is to improve the cost and reliability of access to space by a factor of ten. Outer space, often simply called space, comprises the relatively empty regions of the Universe outside the escape velocities of Celestial bodies. It is developing partially reusable two-stage kerosene–liquid-oxygen launch vehicles. A two-stage-to-orbit ( TSTO or DSTO - Double/Dual-Stage-To-Orbit launch vehicle is a spacecraft in which two distinct stages provide propulsion Usage and history RP-1 is most commonly burned with LOX ( Liquid oxygen) as the oxidizer though other oxidizers have also been used A rocket launch is the first phase of the flight of a Rocket. It was based in El Segundo, but moved to a former Boeing factory in Hawthorne, California, USA. El Segundo is also the name of a champion Australian racehorse The Boeing Company is a major Aerospace and defense corporation originally founded by William E Hawthorne is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County California. California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean.

Background

SpaceX was founded in June 2002 by Musk, who is CEO and CTO. June 2002: January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September A chief executive officer ( CEO) or chief executive is typically the highest-ranking corporate officer ( executive) or administrator A chief technical officer or chief technology officer (abbreviated as CTO) is an executive position whose holder is focused on scientific and technical issues within Musk co-founded startup companies Zip2 and PayPal and is chairman of Tesla Motors and SolarCity. A startup company or start-up is a Company with a limited operating history PayPal is an E-commerce business allowing payments and Money transfers to be made through the Internet. SolarCity is a provider of Solar energy system design financing installation and related services based in Foster City California. As of March 2006 he had invested $100,000,000 of his money. Stories without links will be removed. News stories must be in English

There were 160 employees in November 2005^[1], and 400 by November 2007. ^[2] The launch crew in the Marshall Islands has 25 people, 6 in mission control. The Marshall Islands, officially the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI is a Micronesian nation of islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean This small number, compared to companies with similar rockets, is part of cost reduction. Musk sees other space-launch services' high prices as supporting unnecessary bureaucracy.

Launcher versions

^{[3] [4] [5] [6] [7]}

A Falcon 5 launcher was planned, but development was stopped. A Low Earth Orbit (LEO is generally defined as an Orbit within the locus extending from the Earth’s surface up to an altitude of 2000 km A Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit or Geostationary Transfer Orbit ( GTO) is a Hohmann transfer orbit around the Earth between a Low Earth orbit A Low Earth Orbit (LEO is generally defined as an Orbit within the locus extending from the Earth’s surface up to an altitude of 2000 km A Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit or Geostationary Transfer Orbit ( GTO) is a Hohmann transfer orbit around the Earth between a Low Earth orbit A Low Earth Orbit (LEO is generally defined as an Orbit within the locus extending from the Earth’s surface up to an altitude of 2000 km The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been A Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit or Geostationary Transfer Orbit ( GTO) is a Hohmann transfer orbit around the Earth between a Low Earth orbit The United States dollar ( sign: $; code: USD) is the unit of Currency of the United States; it has also been The Falcon 5 was a proposed Two stage to orbit partially reusable launch vehicle designed by SpaceX, since canceled and replaced by the Falcon 9.

Launches

Maiden test flight of Falcon 1

Falcon 1 prototype. The Falcon 1 is a partially reusable Launch system designed and manufactured by SpaceX. The Falcon 1 is a partially reusable Launch system designed and manufactured by SpaceX.

The first Falcon 1 at Space Launch Complex—Three West (SLC-3W), Vandenberg Air Force Base. The Falcon 1 is a partially reusable Launch system designed and manufactured by SpaceX.

On November 26, 2005, the first launch attempt was scrubbed due to weather and ground holds. Events 43 BC - The Second Triumvirate alliance of Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus ("Octavian" later "Caesar Augustus" Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. On December 19, 2005, a second scrub occurred when a faulty valve caused the first-stage kerosene tank to deform during an unfueling maneuver. Events 324 - Licinius abdicates his position as Roman Emperor. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The launch tower was redesigned to reduce liquid-oxygen boil-off and to avoid wind-related holds. On February 10, 2006, further static testing led to a delay. Events 1355 - The St Scholastica's Day riot breaks out in Oxford, England, leaving 63 scholars and perhaps 30 locals dead Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. On March 17 and March 22 two static firings validated the rocket hardware and the launch procedures. Events 45 BC - In his last victory Julius Caesar defeats the Pompeian forces of Titus Labienus and Pompey the Younger Events 238 - Gordian I and his son Gordian II are proclaimed Roman emperor.

The Falcon 1 maiden flight was scheduled for 21:00 UTC on 24 March 2006 (08:00 local time, 25 March). Events 1401 - Mongol emperor Timur sacks Damascus. 1603 - James VI of Scotland Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. UTC+12 is a Time zone for the following locations Fiji Gilbert Islands, Kiribati Marshall Islands A ship to recover the first stage -- in a restricted down range zone -- caused a 90 minute lauch hold. Launch was at 22:30 UTC (09:30 local time, 25 March), from Omelek Island, in the Kwajalein Atoll. UTC+12 is a Time zone for the following locations Fiji Gilbert Islands, Kiribati Marshall Islands Omelek Island is part of the Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Kwajalein Atoll ( Marshallese: Kuwajleen; kʷuwːɔ͡ɛt̪ʲl̪ʲɪn̪ʲ common English pronunciation ˈkwɑːʤəlɨ̞n often nicknamed Kwaj

After 29 seconds (T plus 00:00:29) the main engine failed, leading to vehicle loss soon after. Photography shows the engine on fire during ascent. An investigation by SpaceX and DARPA determined that corrosion on an aluminum nut led to a failure, resulting in a fuel leak. Corrective actions included replacing similar nuts with welding where possible, or with stainless steel nuts, otherwise. ^[8] There was a webcast of the flight from launchpad cameras, with mission-control voiceover, showing water-dump, ignition, and pad liftoff. A webcast is a media file distributed over the Internet using Streaming media technology The view switched to an onboard camera, with the atoll receding in the background. The webcast stopped 40 seconds into the flight.

The 19. 5-kilogram (43-pound) United States DARPA payload FalconSAT-2 was built by United States Air Force Academy cadets to investigate "space weather", or plasma in the upper atmosphere. The pound or pound-mass (abbreviation lb, lbm, or sometimes in the United States #) is a unit of Mass The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA is an agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the development of new Technology FalconSAT is the name of the United States Air Force Academy 's small Satellite engineering program The United States Air Force Academy ( USAFA or Air Force) is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officers for the United States Air In Physics and Chemistry, plasma is an Ionized Gas, in which a certain proportion of Electrons are free rather than being bound Temperature and layers The temperature of the Earth's atmosphere varies with altitude the mathematical relationship between temperature and altitude varies among five The planned orbit was 450 kilometers (280 miles). The kilometre ( American spelling: kilometer) symbol km is a unit of Length in the Metric system, equal to one thousand A mile is a unit of Length, usually used to measure Distance, in a number of different systems including Imperial units United States

Second test flight of Falcon 1

The second Falcon 1 launched a demonstration payload to return data on the booster's performance, however it failed to reach orbit. The second stage was shut down a minute and a half before schedule (T+ 7:30) due to a control issue. ^[9] SpaceX later stated that "The second stage was otherwise functioning well and even deployed the satellite mass simulator ring at the end of flight! Actual final velocity was 5. 1 km/s or 11,000 mph, whereas 7. 5 km/s or 17,000 mph is needed for orbit. "

The first launch attempt was targeted for 2300 UTC, 20 March 2007 however it was aborted one minute and two seconds prior to launch (T minus 00:01:02) due to a ground control software handover failure. Events 1600 - The Linköping Bloodbath takes place on Maundy Thursday in Linköping, Sweden. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. A countdown is the backward counting to indicate the seconds days etc A second attempt was made at 00:05 UTC, 21 March 2007, but the launch was aborted automatically 0. Events 630 - Byzantine emperor Heraclius restores the True Cross to Jerusalem. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. 5 seconds after firing the engines because the main engine chamber pressure was about 0. 2 percent lower than allowable. The low pressure was caused by the fuel being colder than desired. The third attempt successfully launched the rocket at 01:10 UTC, 21 March 2007 (13:10 local time, 20 March 2007), the vehicle separated from the first stage booster and fairing at approximately 6:14 PST. Events 630 - Byzantine emperor Heraclius restores the True Cross to Jerusalem. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. UTC+12 is a Time zone for the following locations Fiji Gilbert Islands, Kiribati Marshall Islands

The webcast from the vehicle was lost at T+ 5:05 at an altitude of approximately 300 kilometers, but SpaceX was able to retrieve telemetry for the entire mission. The video showed a coning motion that increased during the second stage burn, then a roll immediately before loss of signal. Precession refers to a change in the direction of the axis of a rotating object ^[10] Musk noted that the control problem was initiated during stage separation, when the shut down kick of the main engine exceeded their predictions. This caused a bump between the first stage and second stage engine nozzle, along with sloshing in the tanks. The vehicle's systems were designed to damp out sloshing, but the unexpected motion exceeded design parameters. ^[9]

SpaceX stated they were happy with the launch as the rocket reached space and validated the riskiest and most difficult parts of the new design. Musk expressed confidence that they would solve the control issue and noted that all new rockets typically have these problems to work out; "I think they had something like 12 Atlas failures before the 13th one was success. To get this far on our second launch being an all-new rocket -- new main engine, new first stage, new second stage engine, new second stage, new fairing, new launch pad system, with so many new things -- to have gotten this far is great. " ^[11] A post-mission report declared this launch "the end of the test phase for Falcon 1 and the beginning of the operational phase. " ^[12]

Upcoming launches

The third Falcon 1 launch is planned for 23 June 2008, at 23:00 GMT, from Kwajalein. The Falcon 1 is a partially reusable Launch system designed and manufactured by SpaceX. Events 1180 - First Battle of Uji, starting the Genpei War in Japan 1305 - The Flemish 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Greenwich Mean Time ( GMT) is a term originally referring to mean solar time at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London Kwajalein Atoll ( Marshallese: Kuwajleen; kʷuwːɔ͡ɛt̪ʲl̪ʲɪn̪ʲ common English pronunciation ˈkwɑːʤəlɨ̞n often nicknamed Kwaj ^[13] This flight will carry the Trailblazer (Jumpstart-1) satellite for the US Air Force, two cubesats for ATSB of Malaysia, and a Space Burial payload for Celestis. ATSB redirects here ATSB may also refer to the US Air Transportation Stabilization Board. For the biogeographical region see Malesia Malaysia (məˈleɪʒə or /məˈleɪziə/ is a country that consists of thirteen states and Space burial is a Burial procedure in which a small sample of the cremated ashes of the deceased are placed in a capsule the size of a tube of Lipstick Celestis is a company which launches Cremains, or cremated human remains into space.

The maiden launch of the Falcon 9 is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2008 with a U. S. government payload, followed closely by the launch of a payload for the Canadian MDA Corporation. MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd ( is a Richmond based Canadian information services and products company employing over 3000 people throughout Canada ^[14]

On May 2, 2005, SpaceX announced that it had been awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for Responsive Small Spacelift (RSS) launch services by the United States Air Force, which could allow the Air Force to purchase up to $100,000,000 worth of launches from the company. Events 1194 - King Richard I of England gives Portsmouth its first Royal Charter. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. IDIQ is a contracting acronym meaning Indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity. ^[15] On April 22, 2008, NASA announced that it had awarded an IDIQ Launch Services contract to SpaceX for Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 launches. Events 1500 - Portuguese Navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral becomes the first European to sight Brazil. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The contract will be worth between $20,000 and $1 billion, depending on the number of missions awarded. The contract may cover launch services through June 30, 2010, for launches through December 2012. Events 350 - Roman usurper Nepotianus, of the Constantinian dynasty, is defeated and killed by troops of the Usurper For the film see 2010 The Year We Make Contact. For the book see 2010 Odyssey Two. 2012 ( MMXII) will be a Leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ^[16]

Ellon Musk stated in the same April 22 announcement on the company's webpage that SpaceX has sold 14 contracts for flights on the various Falcon vehicles. Events 1500 - Portuguese Navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral becomes the first European to sight Brazil. ^[17]

Future development

Heavy lift launchers

On September 8, 2005, SpaceX announced the development of the Falcon 9 rocket, which will have nine Merlin engines in its first stage. Events 70 - Roman forces under Titus sack Jerusalem. 1264 - The Statute of Kalisz Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Falcon 9 is an EELV class Launch vehicle planned by SpaceX and scheduled to launch in 2009 Merlin is a Rocket engine developed by SpaceX for use on its Falcon 1 and Falcon 9 rockets ^[18][19] The design is an EELV-class vehicle, intended to compete with the Delta IV and the Atlas V rockets. The Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle ( EELV) program is a United States government, primarily a Department of Defense –sponsored effort begun in the The Delta IV is a family of Delta Rockets designed by Boeing 's Integrated Defense Systems division and built in United Launch Alliance's The Atlas V Rocket is an Expendable launch vehicle formerly built by Lockheed Martin and now built by the Lockheed Martin- Boeing joint venture Both stages will be designed to be reusable. A similarly designed Falcon 5 rocket was also envisioned to fit between the Falcon 1 and Falcon 9, but development was dropped to concentrate on the Falcon 9. The Falcon 5 was a proposed Two stage to orbit partially reusable launch vehicle designed by SpaceX, since canceled and replaced by the Falcon 9.

The company purchased the McGregor, Texas testing facilities of defunct Beal Aerospace, where it is refitting the largest test stand at the facilities for Falcon 9 testing. Beal Aerospace was a launch vehicle development company founded in February 1997 by Andrew Beal, president of Beal Bank in Dallas Texas. The stand will test the 9 Merlin 1C engines of the Falcon 9, which will deliver 350-metric-tons-force (3. The unit kilogram-force ( kgf, often incorrectly just kg) or kilopond ( kp) is defined as the Force exerted by Earth's gravity 4-meganewtons) of thrust, well under the stand's capacity of 1,500 metric-tons-force (15 meganewtons). The newton (symbol N) is the SI derived unit of Force, named after Isaac Newton in recognition of his work on Classical The unit kilogram-force ( kgf, often incorrectly just kg) or kilopond ( kp) is defined as the Force exerted by Earth's gravity

SpaceX plans to develop the Merlin 2 engine, a scale version of a larger F-1-class engine. The F-1 is a Rocket engine developed by Rocketdyne and used in the Saturn V. The company is rumored to be working on a very large rocket to accompany the F-1-class engine, known by the codename "BFR" (Big Falcon Rocket). ^[20] Musk said "Long-term plans call for development of a heavy lift product and even a super-heavy, if there is customer demand. We expect that each size increase would result in a meaningful decrease in cost per pound to orbit. For example, dollar cost per pound to orbit dropped from $4,000 to $1,300 ($8,800/kg to $2,900/kg) between Falcon 1 and Falcon 5. Ultimately, I believe $500 per pound ($1,100/kg) or less is very achievable. " Musk said he expects to offer $1,000 per kilogram by 2010.

Manned orbital spaceflight: SpaceX Dragon

Main article: SpaceX Dragon

SpaceX announced plans to pursue a manned commercial space program through the end of the decade. The SpaceX Dragon is a proposed conventional blunt-cone ballistic capsule Spacecraft, capable of carrying seven people or a mixture of personnel and cargo to and from Low ^[21]

On Friday 18 August 2006, NASA announced that the company was one of two selected to provide crew and cargo resupply demonstration contracts to the International Space Station (ISS) under the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program. Events 293 BC - The oldest known Roman temple to Venus is founded starting the institution of Vinalia Rustica. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA, ˈnæsə is an agency of the United States government, responsible for the nation's public space program Commercial Orbital Transportation Services is a NASA program to coordinate the commercial delivery of crew and cargo to the International Space Station. SpaceX will demonstrate crew and cargo resupply using the SpaceX Dragon, a conventional blunt-cone ballistic capsule, which is capable of carrying 7 persons or a mixture of personnel and cargo to and from low Earth orbit. ^[22] It will be launched atop a Falcon 9 vehicle. The nosecone of the vehicle has a hinged cap, which opens to reveal a standard ISS Common Berthing Mechanism, which allows the Dragon to dock to the U. The Common Berthing Mechanism (or CBM is used to connect all non-Russian pressurized modules of the International Space Station. S. segment of the ISS. NASA's plan calls for SpaceX demonstration flights between 2008 and 2010. SpaceX may receive up to $278 million if it meets all NASA milestones. ^[23][24][25]

Space Industry Partnerships

In January 2005, SpaceX bought a 10% stake in Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, or SSTL is a spin-off company of the University of Surrey that builds and operates small satellites.

External links

• SpaceX official website
  • Maiden flight slide presentation (pdf)
• SpaceX Internal Engineering Blog (written by Old Man Soule)(note that this is site is indeed maintained by SpaceX employees)
• Full Summons and Complaint by SpaceX against Boeing Company and Lockheed Martin Corporation (October 23, 2005)
• Notes from SpaceX pre-launch conference (Michael Belfiore, November 18, 2005)
• Kwajalein Atoll and Rockets (Candid and highly unofficial blog by Elon Musk's brother Kimbal, with on-site pictures and reporting. Events 4004 BC - Creation of the world begins according to the calculations of Archbishop James Ussher 42 BC - Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 326 - The old St Peter's Basilica is consecrated 1302 - Pope Boniface VIII issues the Papal bull Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. )
• Latest Space Fellowship SpaceX News (Space Fellowship)

Articles

• A tour/interview of SpaceX (The Space Review, February 27 - March 13): Parts 2, 3, 4
• The SpaceX Dragon: America's First Privately Financed Manned Orbital Spacecraft? (SpaceRef, March 6, 2006)
• A bold plan to go where men have gone before (New York Times, February 5, 2006)
• Interview with Elon Musk and VP of Development Operations (NasaSpaceFlight. The Space Fellowship is a web based network to push the development of the aerospace industry by providing the latest aerospace news events and a section to share information about the Events 1560 - The Treaty of Berwick, which would expel the French from Scotland, is signed by England and the Congregation Events 1079 - Omar Khayyám completes the Iranian calendar. 1454 - Thirteen Years' War: Delegates of Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1576 - Henry of Navarre converts to Roman Catholicism in order to ensure his right to the throne of France. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. com, January 20, 2006)
• Big plans for SpaceX (The Space Review, November 14, 2005)
• Shooting the Moon (Discover Magazine cover article, September 2005)
• Space X, with video interviews (ScienCentral News, August 12, 2005)
• SpaceX Private Rocket Shifts to Island Launch (Space. Events 250 - Emperor Decius begins a widespread persecution of Christians in Rome. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1533 - Conquistadors from Spain under the leadership of Francisco Pizarro arrive in Cajamarca, Inca Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Battle of Ascalon - Crusaders under the command of Godfrey of Bouillon defeat Fatimid Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. com, August 12, 2005)
• Privately-made Falcon 1 rocket roars on the pad (Spaceflight Now, May 27, 2005)
• Private rocketeer looks to August flight (Space. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Battle of Ascalon - Crusaders under the command of Godfrey of Bouillon defeat Fatimid Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 927 - Simeon the Great, Tsar of Bulgaria, dies 1120 - Richard III of Capua is anointed Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. com, May 23, 2005)
• Small firm fired up to test new rocket (Santa Maria Times, April 27, 2005)
• Hondas in Space (Fast Company, February 2005)
• SpaceX starting small as it dreams of grand plans (Spaceflight Now, January 20, 2005)
• Broadcast interviews with Elon Musk about SpaceX (The Space Show)

Notes