Quick answer: SpaceX's legal name is Space Exploration Technologies Corp. Elon Musk founded it in 2002 and serves as CEO and chief engineer. Gwynne Shotwell has been president and COO since 2008. SpaceX was the first private company to send a liquid-fueled rocket to orbit (Falcon 1, 2008), the first to send a commercial spacecraft to the International Space Station (Dragon, 2012), and the first to fly NASA astronauts to orbit (Crew Dragon Demo-2, 2020).
What does SpaceX stand for?
"SpaceX" is the brand name for Space Exploration Technologies Corp. The company was founded with the stated goal of lowering launch costs and eventually making life multiplanetary, starting with Mars.
Who runs SpaceX?
- Elon Musk (Elon Reeve Musk) is the founder, CEO and chief engineer.
- Gwynne Shotwell is president and COO.
Key milestones
- 2002: The company is founded in El Segundo, California.
- 2008: Falcon 1 reaches orbit on its fourth attempt.
- 2010: Falcon 9 makes its first flight.
- 2012: Dragon becomes the first commercial spacecraft to dock with the ISS.
- 2015: Falcon 9 makes the first landing of an orbital-class booster.
- 2020: Crew Dragon Demo-2 carries NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to the ISS.
- 2024: In July, Musk said SpaceX would move its headquarters from Hawthorne, California, to Starbase, Texas; in December he said the headquarters was now officially in Starbase. Reuters noted it was unclear how many California jobs or facilities would move.
- 2025: On May 3, voters in the Starbase area approved incorporating it as the City of Starbase, 212 to 6, per Cameron County election results.
Real names behind the missions
- Bob Behnken: Robert Louis Behnken.
- Doug Hurley: Douglas Gerald Hurley.
- Starbase: the city incorporated in 2025 around SpaceX's launch site near Boca Chica, Texas.
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FAQ
Is SpaceX owned by Tesla? No. They're separate companies that share Elon Musk as CEO.
What is SpaceX's full name? Space Exploration Technologies Corp.
Who is the president of SpaceX? Gwynne Shotwell, who has held the role since 2008.