Op-Ed: Rep. Mike Haridopolos: How Elon Musk's SpaceX proves the power of the private sector in modern spaceflight

On Tuesday, NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, along with Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Alexander Grebenkin, splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule. This otherwise routine mission captured the attention of America — and indeed, the world — as it marked the conclusion of Suni and Butch’s unexpected nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station.

What might have once been seen as an extraordinary feat is now a testament to the remarkable progress of America’s private space industry, which has revolutionized our presence beyond Earth and placed us at the forefront of space exploration once again. The journey that led to this moment highlights why ongoing investment in the commercial space sector is essential. It is a sector that continues to fuel America’s economic growth, expand the frontiers of science, and strengthen our national security.

The events that led up to this return began last June, when Boeing launched the first crewed test flight of its Starliner capsule, a spacecraft designed to ferry astronauts to and from the International Space Station. But as the capsule approached the station, it encountered issues with its thrusters, leading NASA to determine that it was too risky for the astronauts to return aboard Starliner. Ultimately, the spacecraft returned to Earth empty two months later, leaving Suni and Butch in orbit without a clear date for their return.

That uncertainty came to an end last Friday when SpaceX’s Crew-10 mission successfully lifted off from Cape Canaveral, docked with the ISS, and allowed for the long-awaited return of the two astronauts. This moment reaffirmed what many of us have long known: public-private partnerships in space are the key to securing America’s dominance beyond our atmosphere.

When the Space Shuttle program came to an end in 2011, America lost its independent access to space. For nearly a decade, the only way for American astronauts to reach the International Space Station was by purchasing seats aboard Russian Soyuz spacecraft. The idea that the most advanced nation on Earth had to rely on a foreign power to reach space, let alone one with geopolitical interests often opposed to our own, was an unacceptable reality. That changed in 2020 when SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Demo-2 mission successfully carried two American astronauts to the ISS aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule. For the first time since the Shuttle era, America had regained the ability to put astronauts into orbit on our own terms. This was a turning point.

From that moment onward, our reliance on foreign entities for human spaceflight was over. The return of Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore aboard a SpaceX spacecraft is just the latest example of how far we have come.

The impact of the private space sector extends far beyond human spaceflight. The sheer number of successful launches in recent years illustrates just how dramatically American spaceflight has evolved. Historically, Russia led the world in orbital launches. While America’s space program was highly developed, our launch frequency lagged behind. Between 2016 and 2021, the United States began to outpace Russia, but we found ourselves neck-and-neck with China, whose state-controlled space program was aggressively expanding. However, over the past few years, American spaceflight has entered a new era of unprecedented growth. In 2021, we saw 48 successful launches. In 2022, that number nearly doubled to 84. In 2023, it climbed to 109. Last year, in 2024, America shattered records with 155 successful launches. This year, we are on track to break that record once again, with 37 launches having already taken place.

As the representative of America’s Space Coast, I have had the privilege of witnessing this extraordinary growth firsthand. The sight of rockets lifting off from our coastline has become a commonplace event, happening now about every three days, a sign of just how far we have come. The pace of these launches is a clear signal that space is no longer a niche industry but a rapidly expanding economic powerhouse, driving job creation, fostering technological advancements, and establishing the United States as the world’s preeminent spacefaring nation.

One of the most important factors behind this surge in launch capability is the remarkable success of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Twenty years ago, the idea of a highly reusable rocket was dismissed as a far-off dream by the traditional defense-contractor-dominated space industry. The conventional wisdom at the time dictated that spaceflight would always be prohibitively expensive, requiring single-use rockets and enormous government spending. SpaceX shattered those assumptions. By embracing reusability, innovating rapidly, and taking calculated risks, they redefined what was possible.

SpaceX’s revolutionary approach to spaceflight has established it as the leader in the commercial space industry, but its influence extends far beyond its own success. It has paved the way for a new generation of private space companies to flourish. Other American companies are now following in its footsteps, competing in different areas of the space industry and driving further innovation.

Rocket Lab, for example, has stepped in to fill the gap in the small satellite launch market with its Electron rocket, a vehicle that is just a quarter of the size of the Falcon 9 and is now making strides toward reusability. Meanwhile, Blue Origin recently launched its New Glenn rocket, a heavy-lift vehicle designed to carry more than twice the payload of Falcon 9. With each new company that enters the space launch market, America’s competitive edge in space grows stronger. When these companies compete, America wins.

They are the ones launching the satellites that power our global communications networks, enable cutting-edge scientific research, and provide the intelligence capabilities necessary for national security. The role of these private companies in securing our position in space cannot be overstated. Their work ensures that America remains ahead in space-based technologies, which are critical to our modern economy and defense capabilities.

NASA’s embrace of the private sector has been a force multiplier for America’s space agency. Working with private companies allows for NASA to get their explorative and scientific missions into orbit faster, and at a lower cost (which ultimately, is a win for taxpayers). The Artemis II mission, which will bring Americans closer to the Moon than we hae been in 50 years, will rely on components made by a wide variety of private companies for many of the components of the massive Space Launch System. Some additional good news from the space industry came out this week, Artemis II’s launch date was recently moved up from April 2026 to February 2026. If Artemis II is a success, the following mission, Artemis III, will return Americans to the lunar surface. When we once again make that giant leap, it will be a product of collaboration between America’s public space agency and our innovative space industry.

The rapid growth of our private space sector represents more than just an economic boom; it is a strategic imperative. The nations that secure dominance in space will hold significant advantages in technology, defense, and economic development. President Trump put it succinctly when he said, “You can’t be number one on Earth if you’re number two in space.” That statement rings truer now than ever. Space-based technologies are critical to everything from secure military communications to missile defense and surveillance. Our adversaries, including China and Russia, understand this well and are rapidly advancing their own space programs to challenge American leadership. If we do not continue to invest in our private space industry, we risk ceding ground to those who seek to undermine our position.

The United States stands at a pivotal moment in the history of spaceflight. The investments we make today will determine whether we remain the world’s leader in space exploration, technological innovation, and national security. Our private space sector is thriving, but we cannot afford to take this momentum for granted. We must continue to foster competition, encourage innovation, and ensure that America remains at the forefront of this new era in space. If we make the right choices now, we will secure our leadership in orbit and lay the foundation for generations of American excellence beyond our atmosphere.

Congressman Mike Haridopolos represents Florida's 8th District in the House of Representatives, and serves as the Chairman of the Space Subcommittee. Known as the "Space Coast," his district is home to Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center.