Idea in short

revolutionize space technology, with the ultimate goal of enabling people to live on other planets
So far, Elon Musk’s company has focused on overcoming the current limits of space logistics, in order to reduce expenses for commercial and defense purposes. We can’t deny that the interplanetary objective makes Elon Musk one of the most inspiring figures of our time and pushes SpaceX forward in technological advancements.
append: SpaceX has an entirely different ecosystem and workflow than most common enterprises out there, even the ones related to the technology market. One could say not even the sky is the limit for the Elon Musk company, as their rockets and spaceships keep leaving Earth’s sphere year after year and making connections to the International Space Station (ISS) — not to mention its ambitious plans to explore and populate the planet Mars.
status: publish
categories: Digital
tags: Business Model, Insights
seo_keyword: SpaceX Business Model
seo_description: SpaceX’s Business Model is based on making and launching rockets into Earth orbit.
image_alt_text: SpaceX Business Model
image_title: SpaceX Business Model
image_caption: SpaceX Business Model
image_description: SpaceX’s Business Model is based on making and launching rockets into Earth orbit.


Origin

The primary purpose of Elon Musk, the visionary founder of SpaceX, was to enable life on Mars and other planets. To that end, he initially thought of a venture called “Mars Oasis”, which would place a plant nursery on the Red Planet. However, the activity was quite costly for NASA. So, Musk went after private rocket suppliers. But, given the values ​​faced, the entrepreneur realized that he could start a space aircraft company. That’s how he founded Space Exploration Technologies Corporation — SpaceX. His goal was to manufacture a low-cost, reusable rocket capable of making multiple trips. To make that true, he hired rocket designer Tom Mueller. Together, they spent two years developing Falcon 1 (the name is a reference to Star Wars). The venture was subsidized by some speculators in addition to Musk’s own $100 million. In 2008, after three previous attempts, Falcon 1 entered space. Two years later, Falcon 9 became the main private space shuttle to go and come back from Earth orbit.

SpaceX today

SpaceX nowadays has more than 8,000 employees, including its headquarters in California, two launch complexes in Florida and one in California, one testing facility in Texas, and other offices in different American states.

The company is also building the world’s first commercial launch site designed for orbital missions in South Texas. SpaceX’s build and launch site for Starship test articles and spacecraft take place there. The development facility is in the city of McGregor, Texas. There are four thousand acres of area, with 16 specialized test stands that validate the tests of the engines of both the rockets (Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy) and the Dragon spacecraft.

Ownership

SpaceX is owned by the billionaire Elon Musk, who holds the position of CEO, Chairman, and CTO since its foundation back in 2002. Another key person is Gwynne Shotwell, who is the President and COO of the space company.

Mission Statement

To revolutionize space technology, with the ultimate goal of enabling people to live on other planets

How SpaceX makes money

SpaceX has been the first — and, for the time being, only — private company to develop spacecraft for Earth orbit logistics. The first rocket carrying a satellite was launched in 2009. One year later, the company made history by bringing a commercial rocket back to Earth for the first time ever.

In 2012, SpaceX launched its first commercial spacecraft with the mission of delivering and picking up cargo at the International Space Station. Since 2017, SpaceX regularly launches private rockets into Earth orbit and, since 2018, it started launching Falcon Heavy, the most powerful operational rocket in the world, with a load of up to 63,800 kilos. SpaceX has already concluded 97 launches, and its valuation is reaching $44 billion. That number includes commercial satellite launches and missions for the United States government.

Its probe, called the Dragon, has also been carrying out several cargo-refueling missions for the space station. However, Dragon was primarily designed to transport people. Then, it will soon also take astronauts from NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

SpaceX currently offers launch services for Falcon 9 rockets, with a capacity of 22,800 kg, and Falcon Heavy, just mentioned above. It can also offer crew transport services to commercial customers that want to take astronauts to alternative destinations. SpaceX aims to launch its Starship — designed to deliver satellites further and at a lower marginal cost per launch than our current Falcon vehicles, with a payload compartment larger than any fairing currently in operation (a payload of more than 100 tons) in the near future.

Customer Segments

There are two main customer segments: The U.S. Government and telecommunications companies, both of which need to transport something into space. Currently, its customers include the United States armed forces, NASA, as well as Orbcomm (a company focused on the internet of things and communication solutions for machines), and MDA Corporation (specialized in satellites and related services).

Value Propositions

SpaceX offers cost-effective and reliable access to space through its reusable rocket systems. There are three main sub-offerings: accessibility, performance, and status. It is the main private company to send and bring back a space shuttle, send rockets to the International Space Station and to a geosynchronous circle, and yet to manage the arrival of water from a first stage orbital rocket. Its brand is solid and is associated with Elon Musk.

Channels

SpaceX’s main channel is its offices and launch facilities.

Customer Relationships

SpaceX acts very closely with its customer with high-customized support and sales to negotiate and design long-term contracts.

Revenue Streams

SpaceX’s revenue streams are contracts for commercial cargo and crew transportation to space that are based on the supply of rockets and satellites. A Falcon 9’s launch costs $62 million when new and approximately $50 million when reused. A Falcon Heavy’s launch costs $90 million when reusable, and $150 million when expendable. Plus, Musk believes SpaceX’s reusable 100-passenger Starship will cost $2 million per flight.

Key Resources

Undoubtedly, its reusable rocket technology, launching facilities, and expertise of its innovation team, with programmers, developers, and designers.

Key Activities

Designing, assembling, launching, and recovering rockets and satellites.

Key Partners

They are the suppliers that guarantee the parts of the aircraft. There are more than three thousand throughout the American territory.

Cost Structure

Its biggest expense is the cost of the rockets and spacecraft, its employees, and R&D efforts.

Business Model Future

The future of SpaceX has been written since its conception: Transporting human beings. Therefore, the company focuses on developing and launching fully reusable space aircraft, capable of transporting people to Mars and other destinations in the Solar System. SpaceX states that there are plans to use Starship to send up a satellite in 2021, and, then, host a trip around the moon in 2023, and establish a city on Mars by 2050!

Summary
Think Insights (March 24, 2024) SpaceX Business Model. Retrieved from https://thinkinsights.net/digital/spacex-business-model/.
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