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SpaceX's next test: making Starship routine

Original: SpaceX nearly died in 2008. Today Falcon 9 reuse is routine, Dragon carries crews, Starlink spans the globe — and Starsh

SpaceX nearly collapsed in 2008 before achieving a turnaround that made Falcon 9 booster reuse routine, turned Dragon into a crewed spacecraft and built a global Starlink network, while Starship has now reached orbit. Commentators note the harder challenges ahead: proving reliable Starship reuse, demonstrating orbital refueling and supporting lunar operations.

Why now: Starship's orbital flights have renewed attention on whether SpaceX can repeat its Falcon 9 success with a far more ambitious vehicle.

SpaceXFalcon 9DragonStarlinkStarship

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Evidence

• SpaceX nearly died in 2008. Today Falcon 9 reuse is routine, Dragon carries crews, Starlink spans the globe — and Starship has finally reached orbit. Now comes the harder test: reliable reuse, orbital refueling and lunar operations. https://www. nexthorizon.space/2025/04/spac… · nexthorizon · 3

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