SpaceX

Founded in 2002 and having very recently flown the first official resupply mission to the International Space Station, Space Exploration Technologies, commonly known as SpaceX, has firmly established itself as a leader in the commercial spaceflight industry.

Specializing in reusable vertical launch and transport craft, SpaceX is the developer of both the well-known and highly regarded Dragon spacecraft and Falcon launch platform, as well as being the first private company to launch, orbit, and recover a commercial spacecraft.

Based on the success of the Dragon cargo spacecraft, NASA recently negotiated a proposal to SpaceX to develop a variant of the craft to transport a human crew into orbit and back. SpaceX is also now working on the development a proposed manned Mars mission, which will undoubtedly further the reputation of SpaceX as one of the most successful private spaceflight ventures in history.