Early Years
Elon Musk was born in South Africa during 1971. He has always been an ambitious young man, first moving to Canada at 17 years old to study, and then transferring to the USA to attend the University of Pennsylvania to gain a Bachelor of Science in physics and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.
Musk had dreams of becoming an entrepreneur in the emerging Internet industry. He’d already set up the web software company Zip2 with his younger brother Kimbal, funded by his father Errol who played an instrumental role encouraging Musk’s spirit of entrepreneurship.
Although Zip2 was ultimately acquired by Compaq for US$307 million, Musk was actually one of the co-founders of PayPal which was then sold to eBay for US$1.5 billion. The money Musk made here was pivotal in supporting the establishment of space exploration company SpaceX in 2002.
The Launch of SpaceX
SpaceX was created with a mission ‘to revolutionize space technology, with the ultimate goal of enabling people to live on other planets’. Musk’s primary focus was to make space travel more cost effective and accessible to the wider public.
The first successful launch for SpaceX was the Falcon 1 which had first been attempted in March 2006, followed by the launch of the Falcon 9 and the reusable rocket – launching a spacecraft that would be able to takeoff and land again.
Musk’s innovative ideas and drive to create a space-based economy often made headlines as news of his remarkable plans spread throughout the tech community. Moreover, Musk’s passion and ambition even led to his acquisition of the aerospace company, Tesla. Musk stated that his main aim was ‘to revolutionize the way we look at transportation and energy supply’.
Scientific and Technological Breakthroughs at SpaceX
SpaceX have achieved some incredible breakthroughs in their mission so far, from launching Teslacars into space to their Nano-Satellite Launch Program. Using this program, the world has also seen incredible advances in global broadband and communications capabilities.
Moreover, SpaceX’s mission of ‘making humanity a Multi-Planetary Species’ has been partially achieved through the successful launch of the Falcon Heavy rocket and its associated spacecraft; the first vehicle to ever take humans to the moon. This rocket will enable the private transportation of humans and payloads to the Moon and beyond.
Elon Musk and his team at SpaceX have also pioneered new possibilities for space exploration. Their work with the Big Falcon Rocket (BFR) and the Starship are prime examples of this innovation. The BFR is set to be the most powerful operational rocket ever created, allowing us to transport large payloads to the moon and even send unmanned missions to Mars.
The Future of Space Exploration
The future of space exploration is looking promising thanks to the groundbreaking work of Elon Musk and SpaceX. The ‘cost-effective rocketry’ promised by this private space exploration company has already had some amazing results and more is set to come in the years ahead.
SpaceX have already helped to push the boundaries of space exploration and have inspired scientists, entrepreneurs, and innovators around the world. Looking ahead, the launch of the BFR, in addition to increased Missions to the Moon and Mars, indicates a bright future for space exploration and technology.
Lobbying for Space Exploration
Elon Musk has been a vocal advocate in getting the US government to fund space exploration. He is a firm believer that investment in new space technology is essential if we are to pave the way for new forms of research and exploration.
Musk recently reached out to the Obama administration, citing the potential benefits of increased investment in space exploration. According to Musk, this additional funding could pay for large scale projects such as the Mars Direct mission and the eventual settlement of Mars.
The ultimate goal of SpaceX’s lobbying efforts is to make space exploration a reality, and Elon Musk is the perfect ambassador to lead the way.
Bringing Space Exploration to the Public
SpaceX has also been investing heavily in bringing space exploration to the public. This endeavor is proving increasingly successful, as evidenced by their successful SpaceX Dragon Cargo Spacecraft missions that deliver various items to astronauts in space.
Of course, one of the most impressive displays of SpaceX’s in-house technology was the launch of the Falcon Heavy rocket which, traditionally, would be considered out of the public’s reach. The successful launch of this rocket and the subsequent music played from the Tesla Roadster it carried in outer space showcased the potential of Elon Musk and SpaceX’s dream of opening up private space exploration.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, the work of Elon Musk and SpaceX has drastically changed the public’s perception of space exploration. Musk is setting a stellar example of what is possible with a team of dedicated and resourceful engineers, and with the continued progress of SpaceX’s projects, the future of space exploration looks incredibly promising.
