A report examines how SpaceX's relationship with NASA and the US government has shifted over roughly 25 years, from the company needing federal contracts to survive to NASA now depending heavily on SpaceX for launches and crew transport. Former NASA deputy administrator Lori Garver said she still struggles to envision a future where SpaceX stops flying its Dragon and Falcon vehicles for the agency, even as evidence points toward a partial separation.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-10-29
SpaceX executives said on an earnings call that the company plans to attempt catching both the Super Heavy booster and Starship upper stage at the Starbase tower during the rocket's 15th test flight, targeted for November. Elon Musk said data from Flight 14 gives SpaceX confidence to try the dual catch, while president Gwynne Shotwell said the FAA license is expected to permit return-to-launch-site landings over land, including northern Mexico.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-10-21
SpaceX has redesigned its Starship engine, the Raptor, from a version covered in exposed pipes and wires into the compact Raptor 3 that first flew in May. Despite looking simpler, the newer engine produces roughly 35% more thrust than the original Raptor 1, prompting some observers to initially doubt images of the stripped-down design were genuine.
construction-physics.com
· 2026-09-17
NASA plans to announce as soon as next week that it will order two additional crewed missions from Boeing's Starliner, help fund fixes to its thruster problems, and support certifying the capsule for launch on a new rocket. The move comes after SpaceX told NASA officials it intends to retire Crew Dragon by 2030 or sooner as it shifts focus toward Starship and Starlink-related business.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-09-17
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced that SpaceX will invest up to $100 billion to construct a large-scale Starship manufacturing and launch complex along the state's Gulf coast, near Abbeville. SpaceX president Gwynne Shotwell described the site as a self-sufficient spaceport featuring propellant production, power generation, deep-water shipping, vehicle processing, and its own airport.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-08-25
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