Photo: VIA BLOOMBERG NEWS Image 1 of / 49 Caption Close

Image 2 of 49 Just nine years after it began, SpaceX invited the media in October 2011 to tour the new Spaceport America hangar in Upham, N.M. In May 2013, the company signed a three-year lease to test its Grasshopper reusable rocket there. (Matt York / Associated Press) less Just nine years after it began, SpaceX invited the media in October 2011 to tour the new Spaceport America hangar in Upham, N.M. In May 2013, the company signed a three-year lease to test its Grasshopper ... more Photo: Associated Press

Image 3 of 49 The media got another tour in July 2011 at the SpaceX Launch Control Center outside Cape Canaveral, Fla. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle ) The media got another tour in July 2011 at the SpaceX Launch Control Center outside Cape Canaveral, Fla. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: Houston Chronicle

Image 4 of 49 SpaceX has its own type of Mission Control at Cape Canaveral. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle ) SpaceX has its own type of Mission Control at Cape Canaveral. ( Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle ) Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Image 6 of 49 SpaceX shows off its Dragon capsule, the first private spacecraft to orbit and return safely to Earth, at its facilities near Cape Canaveral, Fla., in July 2011. (Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle) SpaceX shows off its Dragon capsule, the first private spacecraft to orbit and return safely to Earth, at its facilities near Cape Canaveral, Fla., in July 2011. (Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle) Photo: Houston Chronicle

Image 7 of 49 Lawrence Williams, vice president for strategic relations, fields questions on July 6, 2011, about the Falcon 9 rocket at Cape Canaveral. (Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle) Lawrence Williams, vice president for strategic relations, fields questions on July 6, 2011, about the Falcon 9 rocket at Cape Canaveral. (Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle) Photo: Houston Chronicle

Image 8 of 49 Lawrence Williams shows another view of the Falcon 9 rocket. The company's first rocket, the Falcon 1, reached orbit on Sept. 28, 2008. (Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle) Lawrence Williams shows another view of the Falcon 9 rocket. The company's first rocket, the Falcon 1, reached orbit on Sept. 28, 2008. (Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle) Photo: Houston Chronicle

Image 9 of 49 Scott Henderson, director of mission assurance and integration, shows off the SpaceX launch pad at Cape Canaveral, on July 6, 2011. (Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle) Scott Henderson, director of mission assurance and integration, shows off the SpaceX launch pad at Cape Canaveral, on July 6, 2011. (Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle) Photo: Houston Chronicle

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Image 11 of 49 SpaceX is the first private company to launch, orbit and recover a spacecraft - Dragon - on Dec. 9, 2010. (Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle) SpaceX is the first private company to launch, orbit and recover a spacecraft - Dragon - on Dec. 9, 2010. (Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle) Photo: Houston Chronicle

Image 12 of 49 On May 25, 2012, SpaceX became the first private company to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station. (Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle) On May 25, 2012, SpaceX became the first private company to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station. (Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle) Photo: Houston Chronicle

Image 13 of 49 NASA-TV shows the Falcon 9 rocket on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral just seconds after the launch scrubbed for technical problems on May 19, 2012. (NASA / Associated Press) NASA-TV shows the Falcon 9 rocket on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral just seconds after the launch scrubbed for technical problems on May 19, 2012. (NASA / Associated Press) Photo: Associated Press

Image 14 of 49 The SpaceX launch of its Falcon 9 rocket and a unmanned Dragon capsule lights up the sky over Cape Canaveral on May 22, 2012. (Craig Rubadoux / Florida Today, Associated Press) The SpaceX launch of its Falcon 9 rocket and a unmanned Dragon capsule lights up the sky over Cape Canaveral on May 22, 2012. (Craig Rubadoux / Florida Today, Associated Press) Photo: Associated Press

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Image 16 of 49 NASA-TV shows the Dragon commercial cargo craft approaching the International Space Station on May 25, 2012. (NASA / Associated Press) NASA-TV shows the Dragon commercial cargo craft approaching the International Space Station on May 25, 2012. (NASA / Associated Press) Photo: Associated Press

Image 17 of 49 NASA-TV shows the Canadarm 2 robotic arm grip the Dragon for docking to the International Space Station on May 25, 2012. (NASA / Associated Press) NASA-TV shows the Canadarm 2 robotic arm grip the Dragon for docking to the International Space Station on May 25, 2012. (NASA / Associated Press) Photo: Associated Press

Image 18 of 49 Astronaut Donald Pettit, left, walks into the Dragon on May 26, 2012, a day after the world's first commercial supply ship arrived. (NASA / Associated Press) Astronaut Donald Pettit, left, walks into the Dragon on May 26, 2012, a day after the world's first commercial supply ship arrived. (NASA / Associated Press) Photo: Associated Press

Image 19 of 49 Don Pettit, left, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko enter the SpaceX Dragon capsule for initial inspections on May 26, 2012. Pettit remarked about the capsule's "new car smell." (NASA / AFP, Getty Images) less Don Pettit, left, and Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko enter the SpaceX Dragon capsule for initial inspections on May 26, 2012. Pettit remarked about the capsule's "new car smell." (NASA / AFP, Getty ... more Photo: AFP/Getty Images

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Image 21 of 49 The Dragon capsule backs away from the International Space Station and gets repositioned for release later May 31, 2012. (NASA / Associated Press) The Dragon capsule backs away from the International Space Station and gets repositioned for release later May 31, 2012. (NASA / Associated Press) Photo: Associated Press

Image 22 of 49 The Dragon is released from the robotic arm at 6:49 a.m. Houston time on May 31, 2012. (NASA / Associated Press) The Dragon is released from the robotic arm at 6:49 a.m. Houston time on May 31, 2012. (NASA / Associated Press) Photo: Associated Press

Image 23 of 49 Dragon is recovered after splashdown May 31, 2012, in the Pacific Ocean. The capsule then was taken by barge to the Port of Los Angeles, arriving on June 5. (SpaceX / Associated Press) Dragon is recovered after splashdown May 31, 2012, in the Pacific Ocean. The capsule then was taken by barge to the Port of Los Angeles, arriving on June 5. (SpaceX / Associated Press) Photo: Associated Press

Image 24 of 49 Media from around the world cover the launch SpaceX Falcon 9 from atop of the VAB as it lights up the sky during its liftoff from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. A commercial cargo ship rocketed into orbit in pursuit of the International Space Station, the first of a dozen supply runs under a mega-contract with NASA. (AP Photo/Florida Today, Craig Rubadoux) less Media from around the world cover the launch SpaceX Falcon 9 from atop of the VAB as it lights up the sky during its liftoff from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. A commercial cargo ... more Photo: Associated Press

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Image 26 of 49 This photo provided by SpaceX shows an unmanned Dragon freighter that left the International Space Station with a stash of precious medical samples and aimed for a Pacific splashdown to end the first official shipment under a billion-dollar contract with NASA, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012. Astronauts aboard the International Space Station used a giant robot arm to release the commercial cargo ship 255 miles up. The California-based SpaceX company steered its capsule back to Earth via parachutes on Sunday afternoon, a couple hundred miles off the Baja California coast. (AP Photo/SpaceX) less This photo provided by SpaceX shows an unmanned Dragon freighter that left the International Space Station with a stash of precious medical samples and aimed for a Pacific splashdown to end the first official ... more Photo: Associated Press

Image 27 of 49 This photo provided by SpaceX shows an unmanned Dragon freighter during its splashdown, after leaving the International Space Station with a stash of precious medical samples and aimed for a Pacific to end the first official shipment under a billion-dollar contract with NASA, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012. Astronauts aboard the International Space Station used a giant robot arm to release the commercial cargo ship 255 miles up. The California-based SpaceX companysteered its capsule back to Earth via parachutes on Sunday afternoon, a couple hundred miles off the Baja California coast. (AP Photo/SpaceX) less This photo provided by SpaceX shows an unmanned Dragon freighter during its splashdown, after leaving the International Space Station with a stash of precious medical samples and aimed for a Pacific to end the ... more Photo: Associated Press

Image 28 of 49 In this Dec. 6, 2012 photo, undeveloped land near where State Highway 4 ends at the Gulf of Mexico that is under consideration as a possible commercial spaceport for California-based SpaceX, is seen, in Texas. Local lawmakers hope to find money in a tight state budget to entice the company. (AP Photo/Christopher Sherman) less In this Dec. 6, 2012 photo, undeveloped land near where State Highway 4 ends at the Gulf of Mexico that is under consideration as a possible commercial spaceport for California-based SpaceX, is seen, in Texas. ... more Photo: Associated Press

Image 29 of 49 In this Dec. 6, 2012 photo, high-rises of South Padre Island, Texas, are visible in the distance, north of a site being considered as a commercial spaceport for California-based SpaceX. The private land is surrounded by property managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Local lawmakers hope to find money in the state budget to entice the company. (AP Photo/Christopher Sherman) less In this Dec. 6, 2012 photo, high-rises of South Padre Island, Texas, are visible in the distance, north of a site being considered as a commercial spaceport for California-based SpaceX. The private land is ... more Photo: Associated Press

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Image 31 of 49 An improvised sign marks the entrance to Boca Chica Village, May 2, 2013, with homes occupied primarily by winter Texans. The neighborhood is approximately 1.5 miles from the proposed launch site near Brownsville. (Bob Owen / San Antonio Express-News) less An improvised sign marks the entrance to Boca Chica Village, May 2, 2013, with homes occupied primarily by winter Texans. The neighborhood is approximately 1.5 miles from the proposed launch site near ... more Photo: San Antonio Express-News

Image 32 of 49 SpaceX has proposed a commercial spaceport on land near Boca Chica Beach in the Rio Grande Valley near Brownsville. (Bob Owen / San Antonio Express-News) SpaceX has proposed a commercial spaceport on land near Boca Chica Beach in the Rio Grande Valley near Brownsville. (Bob Owen / San Antonio Express-News) Photo: San Antonio Express-News

Image 33 of 49 In a photo provided by NASA, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with it's Dragon spacecraft onboard, is seen shortly after it was erected at Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Friday, March 1, 2013. Launch of the second SpaceX Commercial Resupply Services mission is scheduled for later Friday morning. (AP Photo/Nasa, Bill Ingalls) less In a photo provided by NASA, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, with it's Dragon spacecraft onboard, is seen shortly after it was erected at Launch Complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on ... more Photo: Associated Press

Image 34 of 49 The Falcon 9 SpaceX rocket lifts off from launch complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Friday, March 1, 2013. The rocket is transporting the Dragon capsule to the International Space Station containing more than a ton of food, tools, computer hardware and science experiments. (AP Photo/John Raoux) less The Falcon 9 SpaceX rocket lifts off from launch complex 40 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Friday, March 1, 2013. The rocket is transporting the Dragon capsule to the ... more Photo: Associated Press

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Image 36 of 49 This NASA image on Twitter by ISS Flight Engineer Chris Hadfield, the SpaceX Dragon cargo vehicle soars over sub-Saharan Africa during the approach to the International Space Station on March 1, 2013. The privately-owned unmanned US space capsule owned by SpaceX arrived at the International Space Station on March 3, bringing to the space outpost food, scientific materials and other crucial equipment. The capsule named Dragon was captured -- with the help of a robotic arm - by NASA Expedition 34 Commander Kevin Ford and Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn, 5:31 am EST (1031 GMT), when the ISS was over northern Ukraine, US space officials said. (NASA / Chris Hadfield) less This NASA image on Twitter by ISS Flight Engineer Chris Hadfield, the SpaceX Dragon cargo vehicle soars over sub-Saharan Africa during the approach to the International Space Station on March 1, 2013. The ... more Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Image 37 of 49 This NASA image form video shows the SpaceX capsule Dragon being captured by the Canada Arm on board the International Space Staion(ISS) on March 3, 2013. The privately-owned unmanned US space capsule owned by SpaceX arrived at the International Space Station on Sunday, bringing to the space outpost food, scientific materials and other crucial equipment. The capsule named Dragon was captured -- with the help of a robotic arm - by NASA Expedition 34 Commander Kevin Ford and Flight Engineer Tom Marshburn, 5:31 am EST (1031 GMT), when the ISS was over northern Ukraine, US space officials said. (NASA HO/AFP/Getty Images) less This NASA image form video shows the SpaceX capsule Dragon being captured by the Canada Arm on board the International Space Staion(ISS) on March 3, 2013. The privately-owned unmanned US space capsule owned ... more Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Image 38 of 49 Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO and Chief Designer, CEO and Product Architect of Tesla Motors, co-founder of PayPal, and non-executive chairman and principal shareholder of SolarCity, speaks at the Austin Convention Center during South by Southwest Saturday March 9, 2013 in Austin. less Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO and Chief Designer, CEO and Product Architect of Tesla Motors, co-founder of PayPal, and non-executive chairman and principal shareholder of SolarCity, speaks at the Austin Convention ... more Photo: San Antonio Express-News

Image 39 of 49 Dragon is backed away from the International Space Station early on March 26, 2013, for splashdown later that day in the Pacific off Baja California. (NASA / Associated Press) Dragon is backed away from the International Space Station early on March 26, 2013, for splashdown later that day in the Pacific off Baja California. (NASA / Associated Press) Photo: Associated Press

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Image 41 of 49 Dragon went on display Oct. 11, 2013, at California's Endeavour Fest, commemorating the first anniversary of the shuttle's arrival in Los Angeles. (Frederic J. Brown / AFP / Getty Images) Dragon went on display Oct. 11, 2013, at California's Endeavour Fest, commemorating the first anniversary of the shuttle's arrival in Los Angeles. (Frederic J. Brown / AFP / Getty Images) Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Image 42 of 49 Elon Musk speaks at the Ignition Future of Digital business conference on Nov. 12, 2013, in New York City. (John Moore / Getty Images) Elon Musk speaks at the Ignition Future of Digital business conference on Nov. 12, 2013, in New York City. (John Moore / Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images

Image 43 of 49 Dragon sits inside a processing hangar at Cape Canaveral on Jan. 12, 2013, while teams installed the solar array fairings for launch the morning of March 1, 2013. (Kim Shiflett / NASA, Associated Press) Dragon sits inside a processing hangar at Cape Canaveral on Jan. 12, 2013, while teams installed the solar array fairings for launch the morning of March 1, 2013. (Kim Shiflett / NASA, Associated Press) Photo: Associated Press

Image 44 of 49 This artist rendering shows the proposed spaceport at Boca Chica Beach in Cameron County, Texas, near Brownsville. (SpaceX) This artist rendering shows the proposed spaceport at Boca Chica Beach in Cameron County, Texas, near Brownsville. (SpaceX) Photo: Space X

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Image 46 of 49 Flight hardware for the inaugural launch of Falcon 9 rocket undergoes final integration in the hangar at Cape Canaveral. (SpaceX) Flight hardware for the inaugural launch of Falcon 9 rocket undergoes final integration in the hangar at Cape Canaveral. (SpaceX) Photo: Business Wire

Image 47 of 49 Suzanne Peters, Mary Ann Sigler, Gail Heebner and Holi Hassinger get excited as they watch the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch Jan. 6, 2014, carrying a Thiacom 6 communications satellite into orbit. (Malcolm Denemark / Florida Today, Associated Press) less Suzanne Peters, Mary Ann Sigler, Gail Heebner and Holi Hassinger get excited as they watch the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch Jan. 6, 2014, carrying a Thiacom 6 communications satellite into orbit. (Malcolm Denemark ... more Photo: Associated Press

Image 48 of 49 The Falcon 9 rocket lights up the sky Jan. 6, 2014, taking a commercial satellite into orbit. (Craig Rubadoux / Florida Today, Associated Press) The Falcon 9 rocket lights up the sky Jan. 6, 2014, taking a commercial satellite into orbit. (Craig Rubadoux / Florida Today, Associated Press) Photo: Associated Press