Unique Experiences

Item Description

Private, guided tour of the state-of-the-art manufacturing plant where Space Exploration Technologies also known as SpaceX turns raw materials into rocket engines, rocket stages, and space capsules for use by NASA and other major clients.  This is not open to the public. You will see the first private commercial space capsule ever to have been  launched and recovered from space.  SpaceX is located less than 10 mins from Los Angeles Airport (LAX) in California.  This site was featured throughout the 2008 Hollywood blockbuster "Iron Man" starring Robert Downey Jr.

Established in 2002 by Elon Musk , the founder of PayPal and the Zip2 Corporation, SpaceX has already developed two brand new launch vehicles, established an impressive launch manifest, and been awarded COTS funding by NASA to demonstrate delivery and return of cargo to the International Space Station.

In an era when most technology based products follow a path of ever-increasing capability and reliability while simultaneously reducing costs, launch vehicles today are little changed from those of 40 years ago. SpaceX aims to change this paradigm by developing a family of launch vehicles which will ultimately reduce the cost and increase the reliability of space access by a factor of ten. Coupled with the newly emerging market for private and commercial space transport, this new model will re-ignite humanity's efforts to explore and develop Space.

SpaceX is based on the philosophy that simplicity, low-cost, and reliability can go hand in hand. By eliminating the traditional layers of management, internally, and sub-contractors, externally, we reduce our costs while speeding decision making and delivery. Likewise, by keeping the vast majority of manufacturing in house, we reduce our costs, keep tighter control of quality, and ensure a tight feedback loop between the design and manufacturing teams. And by focusing on simple, proven designs with a primary focus on reliability, we reduce the costs associated with complex systems operating at the margin.

Although drawing upon a rich history of prior launch vehicle and engine programs, SpaceX is privately developing the Dragon crew and cargo capsule and the Falcon family of rockets from the ground up, including main and upper stage engines, the cryogenic tank structure, avionics, guidance & control software and ground support equipment.

Item Special Note

Tour for up to four people.  MUST be a US citizen and show proof of citizenship.  Offer expires February 15, 2013. Travel and lodging not included.