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ElonMusksSpaceDreamAlmostKilledTesla
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ByAshleeVance|May14,2015
IllustrationsbyTheRedDress
SpaceXstartedwithaplantosendmicetoMars.Itgotcrazierfromthere.
InlateOctober2001,ElonMuskwenttoMoscowtobuyanintercontinentalballisticmissile.HebroughtalongJim
Cantrell,akindofinternationalaerospacesuppliesfixer,andAdeoRessi,hisbestfriendfromPenn.AlthoughMusk
hadtensofmillionsinthebank,hewastryingtogetarocketonthecheap.Theyflewcoach,andtheywereplanningto
buyarefurbishedmissile,notanewone.Muskfigureditwouldbeagoodvehicleforsendingaplantorsomemiceto
Mars.
Ressi,aganglyeccentric,hadbeenthinkingalotaboutwhetherhisbestfriendhadstartedtolosehismind,andhed
beendoinghisbesttodiscouragetheproject.HepepperedMuskwithlinkstovideomontagesofRussian,European,
andAmericanrocketsexploding.Hestagedinterventions,bringingMusksfriendstogethertotalkhimoutofwasting
hismoney.Noneofitworked.Muskremainedcommittedtofundingagrand,inspirationalspectacleinspaceand
wouldspendallofhisfortunetodoit.AndsoRessiwenttoRussiatocontainMuskasbestashecould.Adeowould
callmetothesideandsay,WhatElonisdoingisinsane.Aphilanthropicgesture?Thatscrazy,saidCantrell.He
wasseriouslyworried.
ThegroupsetupafewmeetingswithcompaniessuchasNPOLavochkin,whichhadmadeprobesintendedforMars
andVenusfortheRussianFederalSpaceAgency,andKosmotras,acommercialrocketlauncherbasedinMoscow.
Theappointmentsallseemedtogothesameway,followingRussiandecorum.TheRussians,whooftenskip
breakfast,wouldasktomeetaround11a.m.attheirofficesforanearlylunch.Thentherewouldbesmalltalkforan
hourormoreasthemeetingattendeespickedoveraspreadofsandwiches,sausages,and,ofcourse,vodka.After
lunchcamealengthysmokingandcoffeedrinkingperiod.Onceallofthetableswerecleared,theRussianincharge
wouldturntoMuskandask,Whatisityoureinterestedinbuying?ThebigwindupmaynothavebotheredMuskas
muchiftheRussianshadtakenhimmoreseriously.TheyviewedMuskasanovicewhenitcametospaceanddidnot
appreciatehisbravado.OneoftheirchiefdesignersspitonmeandElonbecausehethoughtwewerefullofs,
Cantrellsaid.TeamMuskreturnedemptyhanded.
InFebruary2002thegroupreturnedtoRussia,thistimebringingMikeGriffin,whohadworkedfortheCIAsventure
capitalarm,InQTelNASAsJetPropulsionLaboratoryandwasjustleavingOrbitalSciences,amakerofsatellites
andspacecraft.Muskwasnowlookingfornotonebutthreemissilesandhadabriefcasefullofcash,too.Theymet
withKosmotrasofficialsinanornate,neglected,prerevolutionarybuildingneardowntownMoscow.Thevodkashots
startedTospace!ToAmerica!and,alittlebuzzed,Muskaskedpointblankhowmuchamissilewouldcost.Eight
milliondollarseach,theysaid.Muskcountered,offering$8millionfortwo.Theysatthereandlookedathim,Cantrell
said.Andsaidsomethinglike,Youngboy.No.Theyalsointimatedthathedidnthavethemoney.Atthispoint,Musk
haddecidedtheRussianswereeithernotseriousaboutdoingbusinessorwerejustdeterminedtopartadotcom
millionairefromasmuchofhismoneyaspossible.Hestormedoutofthemeeting.
TheteamwentoutintothesnowanddreckoftheMoscowwinter,hailedacab,anddrovestraighttotheairport.The
RussiansweretheonlyoneswithrocketsthatcouldpossiblyfitwithinMusksbudget,andtheyweretoodifficulttodeal
with.Itwasalongdrive,Cantrellsaid.WesatthereinsilencelookingattheRussianpeasantsshoppinginthe
snow.Thesombermoodlingeredallthewaytotheplane,untilthedrinkcartarrived.Youalwaysfeelparticularly
goodwhenthewheelsliftoffinMoscow,Cantrellsaid.Itslike,MyGod.Imadeit.So,GriffinandIgotdrinksand

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clinkedourglasses.Musksatintherowinfrontofthem,typingonhiscomputer.Werethinking,Fingnerd:What
canhebedoingnow?AtwhichpointMuskwheeledaroundandflashedaspreadsheethedcreated.
Hey,guys,hesaid,Ithinkwecanbuildthisrocketourselves.
SpaceXmadehistoryonSept.28,2008,whenitsFalcon1becamethefirstprivatelydeveloped,liquidfueledrocketto
orbitearth.
Source:NASA
Justafewmonthsbefore,inJune2001,Muskhadturned30.Imnolongerachildprodigy,hetoldhiscollege
sweetheartandnewwife,Justine,onlyhalfjoking.MuskhademigratedfromSouthAfricain1988andhadmade
millionsofftwoInternetcompanies,Zip2andPayPal.Now,hewasexpectedtoactlikeastereotypicaldotcomrich
guyandstartsomeotherWebservice.Musk,though,wantedmore.Asachild,hehaddreamedofrocketshipsand
spacetravel,devouringHeinlein,Asimov,andDouglasAdams.Formostpeople,atriumphinSiliconValleywouldbe
thegoal.ForMusk,itwasasteppingstone.
Thechangesinhisattitudeandthinkingwereobvioustofriends,includingagroupofPayPalexecutiveswhogathered
inLasVegasoneweekendtocelebratetherecentsale.WereallhangingoutinthiscabanaattheHardRockCafe,
andElonistherereadingsomeobscureSovietrocketmanualthatwasallmoldyandlookedlikeithadbeenboughton
EBay,saidKevinHartz,anearlyPayPalinvestor.Hewasstudyingitandtalkingopenlyaboutspacetraveland
changingtheworld.
ElonandJustinedecidedtomovesouthtobegintheirfamilyandthenextchapteroftheirlivesinLosAngeles.Unlike
manySouthernCaliforniatransplants,theyweredrawnbythetechnology.Themild,consistentweathermadeitideal
fortheaeronauticsindustry,whichhadbeentheresincethe1920s,whenLockheedAircraftsetupshopinHollywood.
HowardHughes,theU.S.AirForce,NASA,Boeing,andamosaicofsupportindustriesfollowedsuit.WhileMusks
spaceplanswerevagueatthetime,hefeltconfidentthathecouldrecruitsomeoftheworldstopaeronauticsthinkers
andgetthemtojoinhisnextventure.
IllustrationsbyPaulFaassenPhoto:CourtesyMayeMusk
MuskstartedbycrashingtheMarsSociety,aneclecticcollectionofspaceenthusiastsdedicatedtoexploringand
settlingtheRedPlanet.Theywereholdingafundraiserinmid2001,a$500perplateeventatthehouseofoneofthe
welloffMarsSocietymembers.WhatstunnedRobertZubrin,theheadofthegroup,wasthereplyfromsomeone
namedElonMusk,whomnoonecouldrememberinviting.Hegaveusacheckfor$5,000,Zubrinsaid.Thatmade
everyonetakenotice.ZubrininvitedMuskforcoffeeaheadofthedinnerandtoldhimabouttheresearchcenterthe
societyhadbuiltintheArctictomimicthetoughconditionsofMarsandtheexperimentstheyhadbeenrunningfor
somethingcalledtheTranslifeMission,inwhichtherewouldbeacapsuleorbitingearthcarryingacrewofmice.It
wouldspintogivethemonethirdgravitythesameasMarsandtheywouldlivethereandmakebabies.
Whenitwastimefordinner,ZubrinplacedMuskattheVIPtablenexttohimself,thedirectorandspacebuffJames
Cameron,andCarolStoker,aplanetaryscientistforNASA.Musklovedit.Hewasmuchmoreintensethansomeof
theothermillionaires,Zubrinsaid.Hedidntknowalotaboutspace,buthehadascientificmind.Hewantedtoknow
exactlywhatwasbeingplannedinregardstoMarsandwhatthesignificancewouldbe.MusktooktotheMarsSociety
rightawayandjoineditsboardofdirectors.Hedonatedanadditional$100,000tofundaresearchstationinthedesert.
Musksfriendswerenotentirelysurewhattomakeofhismentalstateatthattime.Hedcaughtmalariawhileon
vacationinAfricaandlostatremendousamountofweightfightingitoff.Muskstands6foot1butusuallyseemsmuch
biggerthanthat.Hesbroadshouldered,sturdy,andthick.ThisversionofMusk,though,lookedemaciatedandwith
littlepromptingwouldstartexpoundingonhisdesiretodosomethingmeaningfulwithhislife.Hesaid,Thelogical
thingtohappennextissolar,butIcantfigureouthowtomakeanymoneyoutofit,saidGeorgeZachary,aninvestor
andclosefriendofMusks,recallingalunchdateatthetime.Hestartedtalkingaboutspace,andIthoughthemeant
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officespacelikearealestateplay.MuskhadalreadystartedthinkingbeyondtheMarsSocietysgoals.Ratherthan
sendafewmiceintoearthsorbit,MuskwantedtosendthemtoMars.
HeaskedifIthoughtthatwascrazy,Zacharysaid.Iasked,Dothemicecomeback?Because,iftheydont,yeah,
mostpeoplewillthinkthatscrazy.MusksaidthatthemicewerenotonlymeanttogotoMarsandcomebackbut
theyalsowouldcomehomewiththebabymice,too.
Muskbuiltanetworkofspaceexpertsandbroughtthebestofthemtogetherataseriesofsalonssometimesatthe
RenaissancehotelattheLosAngelesairportandsometimesattheSheratoninPaloAlto.Muskhadnoformal
businessplan.HemostlywantedthemtohelphimdevelopthemicetoMarsideaoratleasttocomeupwith
somethingcomparable.Muskhopedtohitonawondrousgestureformankindsometypeofeventthatwouldcapture
theworldsattention,getpeoplethinkingaboutMarsagain,andhavethemreflectonmanspotential.Scientists
showedupfromNASAsJPL.Cameronwasthereagain,alongwithGriffin.Nooneontheplanetknewmoreaboutthe
realitiesofgettingthingsintospacethanGriffin,andhewasconsultingforMusk.Fouryearslater,hewouldberunning
NASA.
Theexpertswerethrilledtohaveanotherrichguyappearwhowas
willingtofundsomethinginterestinginspace.Theyhappily
debatedthemeritsandfeasibilityofsendingupthemice.Butthe
discussionturnedtoadifferentproject,theMarsOasis.Inthis
scenario,Muskwouldbuyarocketanduseittoshootwhat
amountedtoaroboticgreenhousetoMars,aspacereadygrowth
chamberforplantsthatcouldopenupbrieflyandscoopinsomeof
theMartianregolith,orsoil,andthenuseittogrowaplant,which
wouldinturnproducethefirstoxygenonMars.MuchtoMusks
liking,thisplanseemedbothostentatiousandfeasible.
Muskwantedthespacegreenhousetohaveawaytosendavideo
feedtoearth,sopeoplecouldwatchtheplantgrow.Thegroup
alsotalkedaboutmailingkitstostudentsaroundthecountrywho
wouldnurturetheirownplantssimultaneouslyandnotice,for
example,thattheMartianplantcouldgrowtwiceashighasits
earthboundcounterpartinthesameamountoftime.Musks
enthusiasmfortheideastartedtoinspirethegroup,manyofwhom
hadgrowncynicalaboutanythingnovelhappeninginspaceagain.Therewereimmenseengineeringchallengesthat
wouldneedsolving.GettingMartiansoilintothestructureseemednotonlyhardtodophysicallybutalsoproblematic
becausetheregolithwouldbetoxic.Forawhile,thescientistsdebatedgrowingtheplantinanutrientrichgelinstead,
butthatfeltlikecheating.Eventheoptimisticmomentswereawashinunknowns.Onescientistfoundsomevery
resilientmustardseedsandthoughttheycouldpossiblysurviveatreatedversionoftheMartiansoil.Therewasa
prettybigdownsideiftheplantdidntsurvive,saidDaveBearden,aspaceindustryveteranwhoattendedthe
meetings.YoudhavethisdeadgardenonMars.
ThemainthingtroublingthespaceexpertswasMusksbudget.Followingthesalons,itseemedlikeMuskwantedto
spendsomewherebetween$20millionand$30milliononthestunt,andeveryoneknewthatthecostofarocket
launchalonewouldeatupthatmoneyandthensome.Musk,however,hadhisownplans.Hedbeendevouringbooks
hedborrowedfromCantrellandothers.TheyincludedRocketPropulsionElements,FundamentalsofAstrodynamics,
andAerothermodynamicsofGasTurbineandRocketPropulsion.AccordingtoMuskscalculations,hecouldundercut
existinglaunchcompaniesbybuildingamodestsizerocketthatspecializedincarryingsmallersatellitesandresearch
payloadstospace.InJune2002hefoundedSpaceExplorationTechnologies,orSpaceX.HewasonhiswaytoMars.
SpaceXsfirstheadquarterswasinanoldwarehouseat1310EastGrandAve.inElSegundo,asuburbofLos
Angeles.Ithad75,000squarefeetofopenspaceandseveralreceivingbays,allowingMusktodrivehissilver
McLarenF1sportscarrightintohisoffice.Itwasasparse,hangarlikebuildingwithadustyfloorandcurvedceilings.
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DuringthefirstweekofSpaceXsoperations,deliverytrucksshowedupwith
laptopsandprintersandfoldingtables.Muskwalkedovertooneoftheloading
docks,rolledupthedoor,andoffloadedtheequipmenthimself.Deskswere
eventuallyinterspersedaroundthefactorysothecomputerscientistsand
engineersdesigningthemachinescouldsitwiththeweldersandmachinists
buildingthehardware.Inaerospace,thiswasdaring.Traditionalaerospace
companiesseparateengineersandmachinistsbythousandsofmiles.
SpaceXplannedtodoalotofthingsdifferently.Insteadofassemblingpartsfrom
thousandsofsuppliers,thecompanywouldbuildasmuchmachineryasitcouldin
house.Thisincludedthingslikeamobilelaunchpadandmostambitiously
rocketengines.Whereverpossible,SpaceXwouldbefaster,cheaper,andbetter
thanitscompetitors.Itwouldlaunchmultiplerocketseachmonth,makemoneyoff
eachone,andneverneedtobecomeahugecontractordependentongovernment
funds.SpaceXsfirstrocketwouldbecalledtheFalcon1,anodtoStarWars
MillenniumFalcon.Atatimewhenthecostofsendinga550poundpayloadinto
orbitstartedat$30million,MuskpromisedthattheFalcon1wouldbeabletocarry
a1,400poundpayloadfor$6.9million.
Theproposedtimelineforupendingtheaerospaceindustrywascomicallyshort.
OneoftheearliestSpaceXpresentationspromisedthefirstcompleteengineby
May2003,asecondengineinJune,thebodyoftherocketinJuly,andeverything
assembledbyAugust.AlaunchpadwouldbereadybySeptember,andthefirst
launchwouldtakeplaceinNovember2003,orabout15monthsafterthecompany
started.AtriptoMarswasnaturallyslatedforsomewhereneartheendofthe
decade.Elonhasalwaysbeenoptimistic,saidKevinBrogan,anearlySpaceX
recruit.Thatstheniceword.Hecanbeadownrightliaraboutwhenthingsneedto
getdone.Hewillpickthemostaggressivetimescheduleimaginableassuming
everythinggoesright,andthenaccelerateitbyassumingthateveryonecanwork
harder.
Musksoughtoutyoungoverachievers,personallycallingtopstudentsinaerospace
programsandrecruitingthemoverthephone.Ithoughtitwasaprankcall,said
MichaelColonno,whoheardfromMuskwhileattendingStanford.Ididnotbelieve
foraminutethathehadarocketcompany.OncethestudentslookedMuskupon
theInternet,sellingthemonSpaceXwaseasy.AswordofSpaceXsambitions
spread,topengineerswithahightoleranceforriskfromBoeing,LockheedMartin,
andOrbitalSciencesfledtotheupstart,too.
ThroughoutthefirstyearatSpaceX,oneortwonewemployeesjoinedalmost
everyweek.BroganwasemployeeNo.23andcamefromTRW,asoontobe
shutteredaerospaceplayer,wherehedbeenusedtovariousinternalpolicies
blockinghimfromdoingwork.Icalleditthecountryclub,hesaid.Nobodydid
anything.BroganstartedatSpaceXthedayafterhisinterviewandwastoldto
scroungearoundtheofficeandfindacomputertouse.ItwasgotoFrysandget
whateveryouneedandgotoStaplesandgetachair,Brogansaid.
Oneofthefirstprojectswastheconstructionofagasgenerator,amachinenot
unlikeasmallrocketenginethatproduceshotgastopowerpumps.TomMueller,
anotherTRWveteran,TimBuzza,adefectorfromBoeing,andacoupleofyoung
engineersassembledthegeneratorinLosAngelesandthenpackeditintothe
backofapickuptruckanddroveitouttoMojavetotestit.Adeserttownabout100
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milesfromLosAngeles,Mojavehadbecomeahubforaerospacecompaniessuch
asScaledCompositesandXCOR.
TheSpaceXteamborrowedateststandfromXCORthatwasjustaboutthe
perfectsizetoholdthegasgenerator.Thefirstignitionruntookplaceat11a.m.
andlasted90seconds.Thegeneratorworked,butitletoutabillowingblackcloudthatsettledrightovertheairport
tower.Inthedaysthatfollowed,SpaceXsengineersperfectedaroutinethatletthemdomultipletestsadayan
unheardofpracticeattheairportandhadthegasgeneratortunedtotheirlikingaftertwoweeksofwork.

TheSpaceXteammadeafewmoretripstoMojaveandsomeotherspots,includingateststandatEdwardsAirForce
BaseinSouthernCaliforniaandanotherinMississippi.Whileonthiscountrywiderocketrytour,theSpaceXengineers
visiteda300acretestsiteinMcGregor,Texas,asmallcitynearthecenterofthestate.Thesitewasaleftoverfrom
anotherbillionaire,AndrewBeal,arealestateandfinancewhizinTexas,whohadfoldedhisaerospacestartupafter
pouringmillionsintothemassivetestfacility.TheSpaceXengineersreallylikedthisspotandthethreestoryconcrete
teststandBealhadleftthereandtalkedMuskintobuyingit.
JeremyHollman,ayoungengineer,soonfoundhimselflivinginTexas.HollmanexemplifiedthekindofrecruitMusk
wanted:HedearnedanaerospaceengineeringdegreefromIowaStateUniversityandamastersinastronautical
engineeringfromtheUniversityofSouthernCalifornia.Hedspentacoupleofyearsworkingasatestengineerat
Boeingdealingwithjets,rockets,andspacecraft.At23,Hollmanwasyoung,single,andwillingtogiveupany
semblanceofhavingalifeinfavorofworkingatSpaceXnonstop,andhebecameMuellerssecondincommand.
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Muellerhaddevelopedapairof3Dcomputermodelsofthetwoengineshewantedtobuild.Merlinwouldbethe
engineforthefirststageoftheFalcon1,whichlifteditofftheground,andKestrelwouldbethesmallerengineusedto
powertheupper,secondstageoftherocketandguideitinspace.Together,HollmanandMuellerfiguredoutwhich
partsSpaceXwouldbuildattheLosAngelesfactoryandwhichpartsitwouldtrytobuy.Forthepurchasedparts,
Hollmanhadtoheadtovariousmachineshopsandgetquotesanddeliverydatesforthehardware.Quiteoften,the
machiniststoldHollmanthatSpaceXstimelineswerenuts.Othersweremoreaccommodatingandwouldtrytobend
anexistingproducttoSpaceXsneedsinsteadofbuildingsomethingfromscratch.Hollmanalsofoundthatingenuity
gothimalongway.Hediscovered,forexample,thatchangingthesealsonsomereadilyavailablecarwashvalves
madethemgoodenoughtobeusedwithrocketfuel.
Inadditiontobuildingitsownengines,rocketbodies,andcapsules,SpaceXdesigneditsownmotherboardsand
circuits,sensorstodetectvibrations,flightcomputers,andsolarpanels.Onaradio,SpaceXsengineersfoundthat
theycouldreducetheweightofthedevicebyabout20percent.Andthecostsavingsweredramatic,droppingfromthe
$50,000to$100,000fortheindustrialgradeequipmentusedbyaerospacecompaniesto$5,000forSpaceXsunit.
EvenastheyweretryingtofigureoutFalcon1,MuskwasplanningtobuildsomethinghewascallingtheBFR,akathe
BigFalconRocketorBigFingRocket.Itwouldhavethebiggestrocketengineinhistory.Musksbigger,faster
mentalityamusedandimpressedsomeofthesuppliersthatSpaceXoccasionallyturnedtoforhelp,likeBarber
Nichols,aColoradobasedmakerofrocketengineturbopumpsandotheraerospacemachinery.BobLinden,a
BarberNicholsexecutive,remembersdealingwithhim.ElonshowedupwithTomMuellerandstartedtellingusitwas
hisdestinytolaunchthingsintospaceatlowercostsandtohelpusbecomespacefaringpeople,hesaid.Wethought
theworldofTombutwerentquitesurewhethertotakeElontooseriously.Theybeganaskingusfortheimpossible.
Theywantedaturbopumptobebuiltinlessthanayearforunder$1million.Boeingmightdoaprojectlikethatover
fiveyearsfor$100million.Tomtoldustogiveitourbestshot,andwebuiltitin13months.Hewasrelentless.
TheSpaceXfacilityinMcGregor,Texas.
Source:SpaceX
AfterSpaceXcompleteditsfirstengineatthefactoryinCalifornia,Hollmanloadeditalongwithmoundsofother
equipmentintoaUHaultrailer,hitchedittothebackofawhiteHummerH2,anddroveitdownInterstate10fromLos
AngelestothetestsiteinTexas.Amidrattlesnakes,fireants,isolation,andsearingheat,thegroupfastenedtheir
prototypeenginetothestand,filleditwithliquidoxygenandkerosene,hidinabunkerbehindadirtberm,andfiredit,
forallof0.1seconds.Thebadnewswasitwouldneedalotofwork.Thegoodnewswasitdidntblowup.(Thatwould
happenlater,andtheengineershadatermforthat,arapidunscheduleddisassembly.)Afterthatfirstsuccessful
burn,theemployeeschristenedthesitebydrinkinga$1,200bottleofRmyMartin,leftoverfromSpaceXsinaugural
party,outofpapercups.
Overthenextyears,thetrekfromCaliforniatothetestsitebecameknownastheTexasCattleHaul.SpaceX
engineerswouldworkfor10daysstraightinTexas,comebacktoCaliforniaforaweekend,andthenheadback.To
easetheburdenoftravel,Musksometimesletthemusehisprivatejet.Itcarriedsixpeople,Muellersaid.Well,
sevenifsomeonesatinthetoilet,whichhappenedallthetime.
Musk,ofcourse,wasntjustbuildingrockets.In2003,aboutayearafterhestartedSpaceX,MuskhelpedfoundTesla
Motors,whichplannedtosellanelectricsportscar.Muskhadspentyearspiningafteragoodelectriccar,andthough
hehadcommitted$100milliontoSpaceX,hewouldnowputanadditional$70millionintoTeslaandendupasthe
companysCEO.Itwasadecisionthatwouldalmostbreakbothcompanies.
AshepreparedtobeginfilmingIronManinearly2007,directorJonFavreaurentedoutacomplexinLosAngelesthat
oncebelongedtoHughesAircraft,theaerospaceanddefensecontractorstartedabout80yearsearlierbyHoward
Hughes.Thefacilityhadaseriesofinterlockinghangarsandservedasaproductionofficeforthemovie.Italso
suppliedRobertDowneyJr.,whowastoplayIronManandhishumancreator,TonyStark,withasplashofinspiration.

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Downeyfeltnostalgiclookingatoneofthelargerhangars,whichhadfallenintoastateofdisrepair.Nottoolongago,
thatbuildinghadplayedhosttothebigideasofabigmanwhoshookupindustriesanddidthingshisownway.
DowneyhadheardaboutaHowardHugheslikefigurewhohadconstructedhisownindustrialcomplexabout10miles
fromtheIronManset.InsteadofvisualizinghowlifemighthavebeenforHughes,Downeycouldperhapsgetatasteof
therealthing.InMarch2007,hevisitedSpaceXsheadquartersinElSegundoandwoundupreceivingapersonaltour
fromMusk.Mymindisnoteasilyblown,butthisplaceandthisguywereamazing,Downeysaid.
ToDowney,theSpaceXfacilitylookedlikeagiant,exotichardwarestore.Enthusiasticemployeeswerezippingabout,
fiddlingwithanassortmentofmachines.Youngwhitecollarengineersinteractedwithbluecollarassemblyline
workers,andtheyallseemedtoshareagenuineexcitementforwhattheyweredoing.Itfeltlikearadicalstartup
company,Downeysaid.Aftertheinitialtour,Downeycameawaypleasedthatthesetsbeinghammeredoutatthe
formerHughesfactorydidhaveparallelstotheSpaceXoperations.Thingsdidntfeeloutofplace,hesaid.
Themenwalked,satinMusksoffice,andhadlunch.DowneyappreciatedthatMuskwasnotafoulsmelling,fidgety,
coderwhackjob.WhatDowneypickeduponinsteadwereMusksaccessibleeccentricitiesandthefeelingthathe
wassomeonewhocouldworkalongsidethepeopleinthefactory.WhenhereturnedtotheIronManproductionoffice,
DowneyaskedthatFavreaubesuretoplaceaTeslaRoadsterinTonyStarksworkshop.AftermeetingElonand
makinghimrealtome,Ifeltlikehavinghispresenceintheworkshop,Downeysaid.Theybecamecontemporaries.
ElonwassomeoneTonyprobablyhungoutwithandpartiedwith,ormorelikelytheywentonsomeweirdjungletrek
togethertodrinkconcoctionswiththeshamans.MusklaterhadacameoinIronMan2.
Muskenjoyedhisrisingprofile.HeandJustineboughtahouseinBelAir.TheirneighborswereQuincyJones,andJoe
Francis,thecreatoroftheGirlsGoneWildvideos.MuskandsomeformerPayPalexecutivesproducedThankYoufor
SmokingandusedMusksjetinthemovie.Whilenotacarouser,MusktookpartintheHollywoodnightlifeandits
socialscene.Wehadadomesticstaffoffiveduringthedayourhometransformedintoaworkplace,Justinewrotein
amagazinearticleforMarieClaire.WewenttoblacktiefundraisersandgotthebesttablesateliteHollywood
nightclubs,withParisHiltonandLeonardoDiCapriopartyingnexttous.WhenGooglecofounderLarryPagegot
marriedonRichardBransonsprivateCaribbeanisland,wewerethere,hangingoutinavillawithJohnCusackand
watchingBonoposewithswarmsofadoringwomenoutsidethereceptiontent.
Bythistime,SpaceXwaslookinglikearealaerospacecompany.Ithadbuiltandtesteditsenginesandcompleteda
fullrocketbody.AllMuskneedednowwastofirethethingintotheskyandseewhathappened.
Undernormalcircumstances,SpaceXmighthavelauncheditsrocketsfromthenearbyVandenbergAirForceBase.
Thesitehasseverallaunchpadstopickfrom,butnoneofthecurrenttenantsBoeing,Lockheed,andtheAirForce
wereallthatinterestedinhelpinganInternetexecutivegettospace.Lockedoutlocally,SpaceXdecidedtotry
KwajaleinIslandorKwajthelargestislandinanatollbetweenGuamandHawaiiandpartoftheRepublicofthe
MarshallIslands.TheU.S.Armyhaduseditfordecadesasamissiletestsite.GwynneShotwell,thenSpaceXsvice
presidentforbusinessdevelopment,lookedupthenameofacolonelatthetestsiteandsenthimanemail.Three
weekslatershegotacallbackfromtheArmysayingtheywouldlovetohaveSpaceXflyfromtheislands.
TogettoKwaj,theSpaceXemployeeseitherflewonMusksjetortookcommercialflightsthroughHawaii.Themain
accommodationsweretwobedroomaffairsthatlookedmorelikedormitoriesthanhotelrooms,withtheirmilitary
issueddressersanddesks.Overthecourseofseveralmonthsasmallteamofpeopleclearedbrushonnearby
OmelekIslandtocreatealaunchsiteandconvertedadoublewidetrailerintooffices.Theworktookplaceinsoul
sappinghumidityunderasunpowerfulenoughtoburntheskinthroughaTshirt.TheSpaceXteamstartedatsunrise,
around7a.m.,andwentuntil7p.m.Oneortwopeoplewoulddecideitwastheirnighttocook,andtheywouldmake
steakandpotatoesandpasta,Hollmansaid.WehadabunchofmoviesandaDVDplayer,andsomeofusdidalot
offishingoffthedocks.Formanyoftheengineers,thiswasbothatorturousandmagicalexperience.AtBoeingyou
couldbecomfortable,butthatwasntgoingtohappenatSpaceX,saidWalterSims,aSpaceXtechexpertwhofound
timetogetcertifiedtoscubadivewhileonKwaj.Everypersononthatislandwasafingstar,andtheywerealways
holdingseminarsonradiosortheengine.Itwassuchaninvigoratingplace.
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Timeandagain,therocketwouldgetrolledouttothelaunchpadandtippedverticalforacoupleofdays,andthen
technicalandsafetycheckswouldrevealahostofnewproblems.Assoonastheycould,theengineersreturneditto
thehangartoprotectitfromthesaltyair.TeamsthathadlaboredseparatelyformonthsbackattheSpaceXfactory
propulsion,avionics,softwarewerethrowntogetherontheislandandforcedtobecomeaninterdisciplinarywhole.It
waslikeGilligansIslandexceptwithrockets,Hollmansaid.
Finally,onMarch24,2006,theengineershadfixedenoughbugstolaunch.TheFalcon1stoodonitssquare
launchpadandignited.Itsoaredintotheskyandstartedtoshrinkagainstthevastblueexpanse.Intheislandcontrol
room,Muskpacedashewatchedtheaction,wearingshorts,flipflops,andaTshirt.Then,about25secondsin,afire
brokeoutabovetheMerlinengine,andsuddenlythismachinethathadbeenflyingstraightandtruestartedtospinand
thentumblebacktoearth.TheFalcon1endedupfallingdirectlyontothelaunchsite.Mostofthedebriswentintoa
reef250feetfromthelaunchpad,andthesatellitecargosmashedthroughSpaceXsmachineshoproofandlanded
moreorlessintactonthefloor.Someoftheengineersputontheirsnorkelingandscubagearandrecoveredthe
pieces,fittingalloftherocketsremnantsintotworefrigeratorsizecrates.
Afterthecrash,therewasalotofdrinkingatabaronthemainisland.Musk
wantedtolaunchagainwithinsixmonths,butputtingtogetheranewmachine
wouldrequireanimmenseamountofwork.Muskhadvowedpubliclythathewould
buildaworkingrocket,butpeopleinsideandoutsidethecompanyweredoing
backoftheenvelopemathandcouldtellthatSpaceXlikelycouldaffordonlyone
moreattempt.TotheextentthatthefinancialsituationunnervedMusk,herarelyif
everletitshowtoemployees.Elondidagreatjobofnotburdeningpeoplewith
thoseworries,saidBrandenSpikes,headofITforSpaceX.Healways
communicatedtheimportanceofbeingleanandofsuccess,butitwasnever,Ifwe
fail,weredonefor.Hewasveryoptimistic.
Meanwhile,SpaceXhadputanothergroupofengineersonanewprojectto
developtheFalcon9,anineenginerocketthatwouldserveasapossible
replacementfortheretiringspaceshuttle.SpaceXhadyettoproveitcouldgetto
spacesuccessfully,butMuskwasalreadypositioningthecompanytobidonbig
ticketNASAcontracts.
Inmid2008,SpaceXprepareditsfourthrocketforlaunch.Typically,thebodyof
theFalcon1traveledtoKwajviabarge.Maybeitwasgofever,whichishow
rocketpeopledescribethemanicdecisionmakingthatcancharacterizealaunch,
butthistimearoundMuskandtheengineersweretooexcitedanddesperateto
waitfortheoceanjourney.Muskrentedamilitarycargoplanetoflytherocketbody
fromLosAngelestoHawaiiandthenontoKwaj.Thiswouldhavebeenafineidea
excepttheSpaceXengineersforgottothinkaboutwhatthepressurizedplane
woulddotothebodyoftherocket,whichislessthananeighthofaninchthick.As
theplanestarteditsdescentintoHawaii,strangenoisescamefromthecargohold.
Ilookedbackandcouldseethestagecrumpling,saidBulentAltan,theformer
headofavionicsatSpaceX.Itoldthepilottogoup,andhedid.Therocketwas
bucklingfromtheincreasingairpressurelikeanemptywaterbottle.
AltansawthattheSpaceXteamontheplanehadabout30minutestodo
somethingabouttheproblembeforetheywouldneedtoland.Theypulledouttheir
pocketknivesandcutawaytheshrinkwrapthatcoveredtherocket.Theyfounda
maintenancekitontheplaneandusedthewrenchestoopenupsomenutsonthe
rocketthatwouldallowitsinternalpressuretomatchthatoftheplanes.Whenthe
planelanded,theengineersdivviedupthedutiesofcallingSpaceXstop

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executivestotellthemwhathappened.Itwas3a.m.LosAngelestime,andoneoftheexecutivesvolunteeredto
deliverthenewstoMusk.
Itlookedlikethreemonthsofworktofixtherocket.Thebodyhadcavedinseveralplaces,andthebafflesplaced
insidethefueltanktostopthefuelfromsloshinghadbroken.MuskorderedtheteamtocontinueontoKwajandsent
inareinforcementteamwithrepairparts.Twoweekslater,therocketwasfixed.Itwaslikebeingstuckinafoxhole
together,Altansaid.Youwerentgoingtoquitandleavethepersonnexttoyoubehind.
ThefourthandpossiblyfinallaunchforSpaceXtookplaceonSept.28,2008.SpaceXemployeeshadworkednonstop
shiftsformonthstoreachthismoment.Theyhadbeenseparatedfromtheirfamilies,inexileontheirtiny,hotoutpost
sometimeswithoutmuchfoodfordaysonendastheywaitedforlaunchwindowstoopenanddealtwiththeaborts
thatfollowed.
Inthelateafternoon,theSpaceXteamraisedtheFalcon1toitslaunchposition.Itstoodtall,lookinglikeabizarre
artifactfromthefutureaspalmtreesswayedbesideitandasmatteringofcloudscrossedthroughthespectacularblue
sky.Bythistime,SpaceXhadturnedeachlaunchintoamajorWebproduction,sotherewasaworldwideaudience.
TheFalcon1wasnotcarryingrealcargothistimeneitherthecompanynorthemilitarynorNASAwantedtosee
somethingelseblowuporgetlostatsea,sotherockethelda360pounddummypayload.
Musk,backinLosAngeles,triedtodistracthimselffromthemountingpressurebygoingtoDisneylandwithhisbrother
Kimbalandtheirchildren,butby4p.m.hewasbackinSpaceXsL.A.controlroom,watchingthefeed.Astherocket
rumbledandthenclimbedhigher,theemployeesinsideSpaceXsheadquartersletoutraucouscheers.Eachmilestone
thatfollowedclearingtheisland,enginecheckscomingbackgoodwasagainmetwithwhistlesandshouts.After
thefirststagefellaway,thesecondstagefiredupabout90secondsintotheflightandtheemployeesturneddownright
rapturous,fillingthewebcastwiththeirecstatichollering.Perfect,saidoneofthetalkingheads.TheKestrelengine
glowedredandstarteditssixminuteburn.Whenthesecondstagecleared,Icouldfinallystartbreathingagainand
mykneesstoppedbuckling,saidJamesMcLaury,amachinistatSpaceX.
Thefairingopeneduparoundthethreeminutemarkandfellbacktowardearth.And,finally,aroundnineminutesinto
itsjourney,theFalcon1shutdownjustasplanned.AftersixyearsaboutfourandahalfmorethanMuskhadonce
plannedthefirstprivatelybuilt,liquidfueledrockethadreachedorbit.
Everyoneburstintotears,Kimbalsaid.ItwasoneofthemostemotionalexperiencesIvehad.Muskleftthecontrol
roomandwalkedouttothefactoryfloor,wherehereceivedarockstarswelcome.Well,thatwasfreakingawesome,
hesaid.Asthesayinggoes,Thefourthtimeisthecharm,right?
TheDragoncapsuleinorbit,Jan.14,2015.
Source:SpaceX
Theafterglow,however,soonfaded.SpaceX,likeMusksothercompany,Tesla,wasfacingamajorcashshortage.
SpaceXhadtheFalcon9effortstosupportandhadalsogreenlightedtheconstructionoftheDragoncapsule,which
wouldtakesuppliesand,oneday,humans,totheInternationalSpaceStation.Historically,eitherprojectwouldhave
costmorethan$1billiontocomplete,butSpaceXwouldhavetofindawaytobuildbothmachinessimultaneouslyfor
afractionofthecost.Thecompanyhaddramaticallyincreasedtherateatwhichithiredemployeesandmovedintoa
muchlargerheadquarters.SpaceXhadacommercialflightbookedtocarryasatelliteintoorbitfortheMalaysian
government,butthatlaunchandthepaymentforitwouldnotarriveuntilthemiddleof2009.Inthemeantime,SpaceX
simplystruggledtomakeitspayroll.Justwhenitfiguredouthowtoflyarocket,SpaceXwasgoingbroke.
Asbadastheywere,thefinancialproblemsdidnotcomparetothecollapseofMuskspersonallife.Notlongafter
movingtoLosAngeles,Muskhadlosthis10weekoldson,NevadaAlexander,tosuddeninfantdeathsyndrome.Im
notsurewhyIdwanttotalkaboutextremelysadevents,Musktoldme.Itdoesnogoodforthefuture.Ifyouvegot
otherkidsandobligations,thenwallowinginsadnessdoesnogoodforanyonearoundyou.Imnotsurewhatshould
bedoneinsuchsituations.MuskwentontohavefivemoresonswithJustinetwinsandtripletsbuttheir
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relationshipbrokeapartin2008,andMuskfiledfordivorce.Justinesoonbegandocumentingthedivorceonablog,
andthepresswasalltoohappytomergethepersonaldetailsintostoriesofMusksfinancialwoes.
ReportersseemedtotakeaspecialpleasureinattackingTesla.Theelectriccarmakerhadsufferedthroughnumerous
productdelays,managementchanges,andcostoverruns.Afterfiveyearsandtensofmillionsofdollars,therewasstill
noTeslaavailabletobuy.AwebsitecalledtheTruthAboutCarsbeganaTeslaDeathWatchinMay2008and
followedupwithdozensofentriesthroughouttheyear.TheblogcapturedTeslasengineeringissuesandMusksfeud
withTeslacofounderMartinEberhard,whodbeenforcedoutofthecompany.
Iwasjustgettingpistolwhipped,Musksaid.Therewasalotofschadenfreudeatthetime,anditwasbadonso
manylevels.Justinewastorturingmeinthepress....Ithurtreallybad.Youhavethesehugedoubtsthatyourlifeisnot
working,yourcarisnotworking,youregoingthroughadivorceandallofthosethings.Ifeltlikeapileofs.Ididnt
thinkwewouldovercomeit.Ithoughtthingswereprobablyfingdoomed.
WhenMusklookedatthenumbers,itlookedlikeonlyonecompanywouldsurvive.IcouldeitherpickSpaceXorTesla
orsplitthemoneyIhadleftbetweenthem,Musksaid.Thatwasatoughdecision.IfIsplitthemoney,maybebothof
themwoulddie.IfIgavethemoneytojustonecompany,theprobabilityofitsurvivingwasgreater,butthenitwould
meancertaindeathfortheothercompany.Idebatedthatoverandover.Inthemeantime,theeconomywas
worsening,andspacecraftandsportscarsseemedoutofplaceinatimeofnearrecordunemployment.
ThebrightestlightinMuskslifeatthetimewasTalulahRiley,a22yearoldBritishactresshehadstarteddatingand
wouldlatermarry.SheviewedMuskslifeasShakespeareantragedy.SometimesMuskwouldopenuptoher,and
othertimesheretreatedintohimself.RileyspiedonMuskwhilehereademailandwatchedhimgrimaceasbadnews
pouredin.Youdwitnesshimhavingtheseconversationsinhishead,shesaid.Itsreallyhardtowatchsomeoneyou
lovestrugglelikethat.Becauseofthelonghoursthatheworkedandhiseatinghabits,bagsformedunderhiseyes.
Helookedlikedeathitself,Rileysaid.Irememberthinkingthisguywouldhaveaheartattackanddie.Heseemed
likeamanonthebrink.
Burningthroughabout$4millionamonth,Teslaneededtocloseanothermajorroundoffundingtogetthrough2008
andstayalive.Muskhadtoleanonfriendsjusttomakepayrollfromweektoweekashenegotiatedwithinvestors.He
sentimpassionedpleastoanyonehecouldthinkofwhomightbeabletosparesomemoney.BillLee,awealthyfriend,
invested$2millioninTesla,andSergeyBrin,cofounderofGoogle,invested$500,000.Kimbalhadlostmostofhis
moneyduringtherecessionbutsoldwhatinvestmentshehadleftandputitintoTeslaaswell.Thecompanyhadset
theprepaymentsthatcustomersmadefortheRoadstersaside,butMusknowneededtousethatmoneytokeepthe
companygoing.Soonthosefundsweregone,too.ThesemaneuversworriedKimbal.ImsureElonwouldhavefound
awaytomakethingsright,buthedefinitelytookrisks,hesaid.
InDecember2008,MuskheardarumorthatNASAwasonthevergeofawardingacontracttoresupplythespace
station.SpaceXsfourthlaunchhadputitinapositiontoreceivesomeofthismoney,whichwassaidtobeinexcessof
$1billion.MuskreachedoutthroughbackchannelsinWashingtonandfoundoutthatSpaceXmightevenbeafront
runnerforthedeal.
AsforTesla,Muskmadealastditchefforttoraiseallthepersonalfundshecould.HetookoutaloanfromSpaceX,
whichNASAapprovedMuskdidnotwanttomessuphischanceforacontractandearmarkedthemoneyforTesla.
HewenttothesecondarymarketstotrytosellsomeofhissharesinSolarCity,asolarpanelinstallerwhereheserved
aschairman.Heluckedintoabout$15millionthatcamethroughwhenDellacquiredadatacentersoftwarestartup
calledEverdream,foundedbyMuskscousins,inwhichhehadinvested.
Muskfinallyputtogetherabout$20millionandaskedTeslasexistinginvestorssincenonewinvestorsmaterialized
tomatchthatfigure.Theinvestorsagreed,andonDec.3,2008,theywereintheprocessoffinalizingthepaperwork
forthefundingroundwhenMusknoticedaproblem.VantagePointCapitalPartnershadsignedallofthepaperwork
exceptforonecrucialpage.MuskphonedAlanSalzman,VantagePointscofounderandmanagingpartner,toask

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aboutthesituation.SalzmantoldMuskthatthefirmhadaproblemwiththe
investmentroundbecauseitundervaluedTesla.
SalzmanaskedMusktocomeinthefollowingweekat7a.m.topresentto
VantagePointstopbrassandexplainthedeal.Nothavingaweekoftimetowork
with,Muskdemandedtocomeinthenextday,andSalzmanrefused,forcingMusk
tocontinuetakingonloans.Theonlyreasonhewantedthemeetingathisoffice
wasformetocomeonbendedkneebeggingformoneysohecouldsay,No,
Musktheorized.Whatafhead.
VantagePointdeclinedtospeakaboutthisperiod,butMuskbelievedthat
SalzmanstacticswerepartofamissiontobankruptTesla.Muskfearedthat
VantagePointwouldousthimasCEO,recapitalizeTesla,andemergeasthemajor
ownerofthecarmaker.ItcouldthensellTeslatoaDetroitautomakerorfocuson
sellingelectricdrivetrainsandbatterypacksinsteadofmakingcars.
Inresponse,Musktookanotherhugerisk.Teslarecharacterizedthefundingasa
debtround,knowingthatVantagePointcouldnotinterferewithadebtdeal.The
trickypartofthisstrategywasthatventurecapitalinvestors,suchasDraperFisher
Jurvetson,arenotstructuredtododebtdeals.Persuadingtheirbackerstoalter
theirrulesofengagementforacompanythatcouldverywellgobankruptina
matterofdayswouldbetough.SoMuskbluffed.Hetoldtheinvestorsthathe
wouldtakeanotherloanfromSpaceXandfundtheentireroundall$40million
himself.Thetacticworked:Theinvestorshandedover$20million.Whenyouhave
scarcity,itnaturallyreinforcesgreedandleadstomoreinterest,SteveJurvetson
said.Itwasalsoeasierforustogobacktoourfirmsandsay,Hereisthedeal.Go
ornogo?
Inthemeantime,atSpaceX,Muskandtopexecutiveshadspentmostof
Decemberinastateoffear,butonDec.23,2008,SpaceXreceivedawonderful
shock.Thecompanywona$1.6billioncontractfor12NASAresupplyflightstothespacestation.ThentheTesladeal
endedupclosingsuccessfully,onChristmasEve,hoursbeforeTeslawouldhavegonebankrupt.Muskhadjustafew
hundredthousanddollarsleftandcouldnothavemadepayrollthenextday.
StayingwithKimbalinBoulder,Colo.,fortheholidays,MuskbrokedownintearsastheSpaceXandTeslatransactions
processed.IhadnthadanopportunitytobuyaChristmaspresentforTalulahoranything,hesaid.Iwentrunning
downthefingstreetinBoulder,andtheonlyplacethatwasopensoldthesestrinkets,andtheywereaboutto
close.ThebestthingIcouldfindweretheseplasticmonkeyswithcoconutsthoseseenoevil,hearnoevil
monkeys.
AntonioGracias,aTeslaandSpaceXinvestorandoneofMusksclosestfriends,hadwatchedallofthistranspire
2008toldhimeverythinghewouldeverneedtoknowaboutMuskscharacter.Hehastheabilitytoworkharderand
enduremorestressthananyoneIveevermet,Graciassaid.Whathewentthroughin2008wouldhavebroken
anyoneelse.Mostpeoplewhoareunderthatsortofpressurefray.Theirdecisionsgobad.Elongetshyperrational.
Hesstillabletomakeveryclear,longtermdecisions.Theharderitgets,thebetterhegets.
SpaceXemployeeswatchaFalcon9launchfromheadquartersinHawthorne,Calif.,onNov.28,2013.
Source:SpaceX
Today,theheadquartersofSpaceXisonOneRocketRoadinHawthorne,afewmilesfromLosAngelesInternational
Airport.Its550,000squarefeetandpaintedablindingwhite.Neartheback,enormoussheetsofmetalarriveandare
transportedtotwostoryhighweldingmachines,tobeturnedintorockets.Overtooneside,techniciansinwhitecoats
makemotherboards,radios,andmoreelectronics.Othersareinaspecial,airtightglasschamber,buildingthe
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capsulesthatdockwiththeInternationalSpaceStation.TattooedmeninbandanasblastVanHalenandthreadwires
aroundrocketengines.Therearefuselageslinedupandreadytobeplacedontrucksothersawaitcoatsofwhite
paint.Everywhere,therearebodiesinmotionaroundavarietyofbizarremachines.Itisdifficulttotakeintheentire
factoryatonce.
OnthewallleadinguptoMuskscubicleonthefirstflooroftheSpaceXheadquartersaretwopostersofMars.Theone
ontheleftisMarsasitistodayacold,barrenredorb.TheposterontherightshowsaMarswithacheerygreen
landmasssurroundedbyoceans.Theplanethasbeenheatedupandtransformedtosuithumans.
Forallhisswagger,Muskcanbesurprisinglyshyandawkwardinperson.Likealotofengineers,hewillpausewhile
searchingforexactphrasing,andhelloftenwanderdownascientificrabbitholewithoutofferinganylaytranslations
alongtheway.Heexpectsyoutokeepuptheresnosmalltalk.
Hecanalsobedisarminglysincere.Iwouldliketodiethinkingthathumanityhasabrightfuture,hesays,while
chattingathiscubicleandmakinghiswaythroughacupofcookiesandcreamicecreamwithsprinklesontop,just
passedtohimbyanassistant.Ifwecansolvesustainableenergyandbewellonourwaytobecominga
multiplanetaryspecieswithaselfsustainingcivilizationonanotherplanettocopewithaworstcasescenario
happeningandextinguishinghumanconsciousnessthenIthinkthatwouldbereallygood.
Hisoncefailingcompaniesarethriving.SpaceXflewasupplycapsuletotheInternationalSpaceStation,broughtit
safelybacktoearth,andsoonplanstobeginflyinghumansandbuildingreusablerockets.TeslaMotorsdeliveredthe
ModelS,abeautiful,allelectricsedanthattooktheautomotiveindustrysbreathaway.Muskisalsothechairmanand
principalshareholderofSolarCity,whichhasbecomethelargestinstallerofsolarpanels.
MostCEOshavehandlers,butMuskusuallymovesaboutonhisown,inhisusualblackTshirtanddesignerjeans.
DuringoneinterviewinLosAngeles,MuskwalksmeoutoftheSpaceXfacility,andwehopintohisModelSsedanto
zipovertotheTesladesignstudio,acoupleofbuildingsaway.Wetalkashemakeshiswayaroundthestudiosmain
floor,inspectingprototypepartsandvehicles.Ateachstation,employeesrushupandgivehimupdates.Helistens
intently,processes,nods,andmoveson.Teslasdesignchief,FranzvonHolzhausen,wantsMuskstakeonsomenew
tiresandrimsfortheModelSandseatsfortheModelX.Heseemsunmoved.Hetellshimhellthinkaboutitandthen
walkstowardthesourceoftheloudestnoiseaworkshopdeepinthedesignstudiowhereTeslaengineersare
buildingthescaffoldingforthe30footdecorativetowersthatgooutsidethecompanyschargingstations.Thatthing
lookslikeitcouldsurviveaCategory5hurricane,Musksays.Letsthinitupabit.
Currently,SpaceXsendsupaboutonerocketamonth,carryingsatellitesforcompaniesandnations.Thecompany
canundercutitsU.S.competitorsBoeing,LockheedMartin,OrbitalSciencesonpricebyawidemargin.Italso
offersU.S.customersapeaceofmindthatitsrivalscant.WherecompetitorsrelyonRussianandotherforeign
suppliers,SpaceXmakesitsmachinesfromscratchintheU.S.Its$60millionperlaunchcostismuchlessthanwhat
EuropeandJapanchargeandtrumpseventherelativebargainsofferedbytheRussiansandChinese,whohavethe
addedbenefitofcheaplaboranddecadesofgovernmentinvestment.
Todate,SpaceXhasflownsatellitesforCanadian,European,andAsiancustomersandcompletedabouttwodozen
launches.Itslaunchmanifeststretchesoutforanumberofyears,andSpaceXhasmorethan50flightsplanned,which
arealltogetherworthmorethan$5billion.Thecompanyremainsprivatelyowned,withMuskasthelargest
shareholder.SpaceXisprofitableandisestimatedtobeworth$12billion.
TheFalcon9hasgonefromafantasytoSpaceXsworkhorse.Its224.4feettall,12feetacross,andweighs
1.1millionpounds.Itspoweredbynineenginesarrangedinanoctawebpattern,withacenterenginesurroundedby
eightothers.Theenginespowerthefirststageoftherocket,whichbearstheblueSpaceXinsigniaandanAmerican
flag.Theshortersecondstageistheonethatdoesthingsinspace.Itcanbeoutfittedwitharoundedcontainerfor
carryingsatellitesoracapsulecapableoftransportinghumans.Theresnothingparticularlyflashylookingaboutthe
Falcon9.Itsanelegant,purposefulmachine.

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Thesedays,SpaceXsometimesusesVandenbergAirForceBasetosendupFalcon9s.Wereitnotownedbythe
military,thebasewouldbearesort.ThePacificOceanrunsformilesalongitsborder,anditsgroundsarewideopen
shrubbyfieldsamidgreenhills.Nestledintoonehillyspotjustattheoceansedgeareahandfuloflaunchpads.On
launchdays,thewhiteFalcon9breaksuptheblueandgreenlandscape,pointingskywardandleavingnodoubtabout
itsintentions.
OnSept.29,2013,aboutfourhoursbeforealaunch,theFalcon9sfuelingprocessbeginsbyfillingthetankswith
some46,000gallonsofliquidoxygenand29,600gallonsofrocketgradekerosene.Someoftheliquidoxygenvents
outoftherocketandissocoldthatitboilsoffoncontactwiththemetalandair,formingwhiteplumesthatstreamdown
therocketssides.ThisgivestheimpressionoftheFalcon9huffingandpuffingasitlimbersupbeforethejourney.The
engineersinSpaceXsmissioncontrolchatteronheadsetsandcyclethroughtheirlaunchchecklistastheymovefrom
oneapprovaltothenext.Tenminutesbeforelaunch,themachinestakeover.Everythinggoesquiet,andthetension
buildsuntil,outofnowhere,theFalcon9breaksthesilencewithaloudgasp.
Alatticedsupportstructurepullsawayfromthefuselage.TheTminus10secondscountdownbegins.Atthecountof
three,theenginesignite,andthecomputersconductalasthealthcheck.Fourenormousmetalclampsholdtherocket
down,ascomputingsystemsensurethatthenineenginesareproducingsufficientdownwardforce.Atzero,the
clampsrelease.Therocketgoestowarwithinertia,andthen,withflamessurroundingitsbaseandsnowthickplumes
oftheliquidoxygenfillingtheair,itshootsup.Seeingsomethingsolargeholdsostraightandsteadywhilesuspended
inmidairishardforthebraintoprocess.Itisforeign,inexplicable.About20secondsafterliftoff,thespectatorsafew
milesawayhearandfeeltheFalcon9sfullrumble.Itsadistinctsoundasortofstaccatocracklingthatmakespant
legsvibrate.Afteraboutaminute,therocketisaredspotinthesky,andthenitsgone.
ExcerptedfromElonMusk:Tesla,SpaceX,andtheQuestforaFantasticFuture.TobepublishedthismonthbyEcco,
adivisionofHarperCollins2015byAshleeVance

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