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Ultimate Interesting SpaceX Facts for Kids (2023 Updated)

SpaceX was started over 20 years ago, in 2002, by Elon Musk. The company manufactures launch vehicles, different kinds of spacecraft, rocket engines, and even satellites. 

This company is one of the most fascinating companies in the world today. In this article, we’re going to look more closely at SpaceX, how it came to be, and some interesting facts about it! Let’s dive right in. 

How was SpaceX Started?

Back before the company was started in 2002, Elon Musk first became interested in space exploration. After looking into exploring the planet Mars, Musk realized that NASA didn’t have a specific or concrete plan detailing a human exploration to Mars. 

He started to attend conferences and meetings, funded private space projects, and donated money to the Mars Society. He was even invited to join the Mars society and become a part of its board of directors. Eventually, Musk traveled to Russia to attain contacts that to help begin his quest to start a colony on Mars. However, the Russians weren’t really interested in helping him, and on his way home, Musk came up with an idea that could build a set of spacecraft using different technologies at a reduced cost. 

Therefore, SpaceX was born. 

Facts About SpaceX

1. SpaceX was born over 20 years ago. 

Even though SpaceX sounds like its technology stems from the 2020s, it has been building rockets and operating as a cutting edge company since the early 2000s! Since buying carriers was an expensive and unreliable investment, Elon Musk realized that starting his own company was cheaper and more cost efficient, and so, the company was born. 

2. SpaceX is very different from other space exploration companies. 

What sets this company apart from various others is that it is the first private company to have launched a payload into the Earth’s orbit. What’s even more notable is the fact that this payload was the first privately-made object to return to Earth safely and intact. In the past, only agencies like Roscosmos and NASA had achieved such feats. 

3. SpaceX built Falcon 1. 

Falcon 1 was the company’s firstfully liquid-fueled launch vehicle that orbited the Earth. It was funded by the company’s money and not the government. This vehicle was designed entirely by the crew at SpaceX, and is a two-stage to orbit rocket. It used liquid oxygen and RP 1 for both the launch stages, though the first stage was powered by a Merlin engine, and the second was powered by Kestrel engine. 

4. SpaceX doesn’t have a designated area for mission control. 

Unlike companies like NASA and Boeing that have dedicated areas for mission control, SpaceX doesn’t! While this news might shock some people, the offices at SpaceX were built for comfort and ease. Their office in Hawthorne, California, has an open plan layout, and it’s common knowledge that the area near the kitchen is used to launch literal rockets into space! 

5. SpaceX has many competitors. 

Even though the company is privately owned, SpaceX still has several competitors. These rivals include Boeing, Virgin Galactic, Vulcan Aerospace, Lockheed Martine, and Blue Origin. 

6. Musk’s main goal is to go to Mars. 

Even though we all joke about living life on another planet, Elon Musk plans and intends to make this joke a reality! His whole reason for starting a company like SpaceX is to send human beings to Mars, and start a colony there that allows people to live and cultivate new lives.

Obviously, doing so is no easy feat, and requires more time and research than simply jumping on a spacecraft and traveling to an entirely new planet! 

FAQs

Conclusion 

In this article, we walked you through a list of interesting facts about SpaceX. If you’re interested in astronomy and learning more about attempting to live on another planet, we highly recommend doing your own research and looking more into SpaceX!