SpaceX

Space Exploration Technologies, known as SpaceX, is an American aerospace company headquartered in Starbase, Texas. Elon Musk founded it in 2002 with the goal of lowering launch costs.

The company builds the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets and the Dragon spacecraft. Dragon carries cargo and astronauts to the International Space Station. Falcon first stages can land and fly again, which cut launch prices.

SpaceX also runs Starlink, a satellite internet service with thousands of satellites in orbit. It is developing Starship, a fully reusable launch system for the Moon and Mars. The company is privately held and works closely with NASA and the United States military. It flies many missions each year and has become the main United States launch provider. Its Starlink service covers many regions and has been used in conflict zones and remote areas. Gwynne Shotwell is president and chief operating officer.