• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Techspace

Watch Live: SpaceX Aims to Launch the First-Ever Recycled Rocket

By
Jennifer Calfas
Jennifer Calfas
By
Jennifer Calfas
Jennifer Calfas
March 30, 2017, 12:26 PM ET

Elon Musk is attempting to make history Thursday by launching a used rocket for the first time.

SpaceX, Musk’s spaceflight company, will launch a Falcon 9 rocket that had originally launched and returned to Earth in April 2016. If successful, the launch could pave the way for reusing rockets in the future, cutting the costs of space travel.

Falcon 9 rockets currently cost $54 million, while fuel for each mission only costs $200,000, according to SpaceX’s website.

“The majority of the launch cost comes from building the rocket, which flies only once,” the company says on its website detailing reusability. “Compare that to a commercial airliner. Each plane costs about the same as Falcon 9, but can fly multiple times per day, and conduct tens of thousands of flights over its lifetime.”

The Falcon 9 blasting off on Thursday will attempt to send a communications satellite for a Luxembourg company into orbit.

The rocket launch is scheduled for 6:27 p.m. EDT. Watch it live in the video above.

About the Author
By Jennifer Calfas
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.