SpaceX pivots away from space
The gist
SpaceX stopped bidding for commercial Falcon 9 launches, limiting the rocket to U.S. government customers.
Outside launch customers now face scarce capacity and higher prices.
How it unfolded
- 2006Under President George W. Bush, NASA launched a program encouraging private companies to develop cargo transport to the International Space Station.
- Under President Barack ObamaThe effort expanded to commercial astronaut transport, with NASA moving from government-owned systems built by defense contractors to private firms developing, owning and operating launch systems, co-funded by the government.
- 2025Falcon 9 flew 165 times, but only 43 missions carried outside customers; selling launches to other customers brought in $4.1 billion, up 8%.