In 2005, long before reusable rockets became industry standard, a scrappy startup named SpaceX asked for permission to use the iconic Cape Canaveral launch pad—once home to NASA’s Apollo missions. The move was met with fierce resistance from aerospace giants like Boeing and Lockheed Martin, who saw Elon Musk’s new venture as reckless and inexperienced.
Fast forward two decades, and SpaceX is the global leader in commercial spaceflight—delivering more payloads to orbit than any government or private competitor combined.
From Underdog to Dominance
At first, industry veterans scoffed at Elon Musk, viewing him as bold but naive. Today, he commands a company whose Falcon 9 rockets dominate orbital deliveries and whose Starship rocket—the most powerful ever built—could eventually carry humans to Mars.
SpaceX’s Dragon capsule has become the go-to vehicle for ferrying astronauts and cargo to the International Space Station (ISS). In fact, NASA relies heavily on SpaceX, especially as Boeing’s Starliner program has stumbled.
The company even executed the world’s first commercial spacewalk, and its Starlink satellite network has already delivered internet to remote and conflict-ridden areas, including battlefields in Ukraine.
Why Did SpaceX Succeed?
According to journalist Eric Berger, author of Reentry: SpaceX, Elon Musk, and the Reusable Rockets That Launched a Second Space Age, there are three main reasons behind SpaceX’s meteoric rise:
1. Elon Musk’s Visionary Leadership
Musk insisted on reusable rockets despite opposition—even within his own team. He launched the Starship project and Starlink network in tandem, defying industry norms and showing unmatched ambition.
2. The People Behind the Mission
SpaceX attracted top-tier engineers willing to work long hours for the chance to reshape spaceflight. Key figures like Gwynne Shotwell, who secured a vital NASA contract in 2006, and Holly Ridings, NASA’s first female flight director, played pivotal roles.
3. NASA’s Gamble Paid Off
When the Space Shuttle program ended, the Obama administration bet on Musk’s vision. NASA not only funded early SpaceX missions but also embedded engineers within the company to ensure success. This partnership yielded historic moments, such as the first docking of a SpaceX capsule with the ISS in 2012.
A New Culture of Space
Before SpaceX, the aerospace industry operated on bloated, cost-plus contracts. Musk introduced a startup mindset, reducing costs and increasing accountability. The result? Rapid innovation, lower launch prices, and a cultural shift that pulled young talent into aerospace once again.
According to Berger, SpaceX has become the “ultimate destination” for space enthusiasts who want to build, launch, and boldly go.
The Only Risk? Musk Himself
While SpaceX’s trajectory remains sky-high, Berger ends his book on a cautionary note: Elon Musk’s distractions—from Twitter/X acquisition to polarizing political statements—could derail the mission. If Musk loses focus, SpaceX’s interplanetary ambitions might stall.
But for now, the company’s progress feels unstoppable. Reusable rockets, commercial spacewalks, Mars missions—it all started with one man’s dream and a company no one believed in.