Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, is leading the charge in the field of space exploration.
In 2002, Musk invested $100 million from the sale of PayPal into his new space exploration company, which he founded after receiving $175 million when eBay bought PayPal in 2002.
Despite early success with NASA, SpaceX nearly failed after its first three launches failed.
However, in late 2008, NASA awarded the company a $1.6 billion contract, which effectively saved the company.
Over the next 15 years, SpaceX grew rapidly and is now valued at almost $140 billion, making it one of the most valuable privately held companies in the world.
Musk's unique leadership style and demanding work ethic have been key to the company's success.
However, Musk's leadership has also been criticized for its intensity and lack of empathy.
Former employees have described working long hours and being called into the office at 3 a.m. by Musk.
In 2021, nine employees were fired after they called on the company to denounce Musk's tweeting, which they called "a frequent source of distraction and embarrassment for us." Musk is also building a town for SpaceX and Boring Company workers in Texas, called Snailbrook, and has purchased over 3,500 acres of land in the area.
Musk's ultimate goal is to colonize Mars and he has sold property worth over $100 million to fund his dream.
However, the date for this goal keeps getting further away.
Musk originally planned to send humans to Mars by 2024, but later pushed the date back to 2026, then 2029, and is now aiming for 2033.
Musk's loftiest ambition is to have a million people on Mars by 2050, which would involve launching three Starship rockets every day.
The Starship is the world's tallest and most powerful rocket, and while its maiden launch in April was successful, the second attempt ended in an explosion three minutes into the flight.
The next attempt is expected before the end of the year,
Despite early success with NASA, SpaceX nearly failed after its first three launches failed.
However, in late 2008, NASA awarded the company a $1.6 billion contract, which effectively saved the company.
Over the next 15 years, SpaceX grew rapidly and is now valued at almost $140 billion, making it one of the most valuable privately held companies in the world.
Musk's unique leadership style and demanding work ethic have been key to the company's success.
However, Musk's leadership has also been criticized for its intensity and lack of empathy.
Former employees have described working long hours and being called into the office at 3 a.m. by Musk.
In 2021, nine employees were fired after they called on the company to denounce Musk's tweeting, which they called "a frequent source of distraction and embarrassment for us." Musk is also building a town for SpaceX and Boring Company workers in Texas, called Snailbrook, and has purchased over 3,500 acres of land in the area.
Musk's ultimate goal is to colonize Mars and he has sold property worth over $100 million to fund his dream.
However, the date for this goal keeps getting further away.
Musk originally planned to send humans to Mars by 2024, but later pushed the date back to 2026, then 2029, and is now aiming for 2033.
Musk's loftiest ambition is to have a million people on Mars by 2050, which would involve launching three Starship rockets every day.
The Starship is the world's tallest and most powerful rocket, and while its maiden launch in April was successful, the second attempt ended in an explosion three minutes into the flight.
The next attempt is expected before the end of the year,