The company’s president, Gwynne Shotwell, has previously said the operational lifetime of the Falcon 9 may end in 2030 or 2032. However, more recently, commercial satellite customers have been running into difficulties when trying to purchase a launch after 2028. One source said SpaceX has told the US government that it intends to end commercial launches after 2028 but will continue flying the Falcon 9 rocket for a limited number of federally contracted missions after that.
According to sources, SpaceX is planning to stop flying the Falcon 9 rocket for commercial launches after 2028. Will there be any commercial launches on the Falcon 9 rocket after 2028?
Resolves YES if there is at least one commercial launch on a Falcon 9 rocket operated by SpaceX on or after January 1, 2029. Resolves NO if this has not happened by December 31, 2029. Government launches do not count. Commercial launch here refers to a launch performed by SpaceX in exchange for money from a private company.
1,000So to clarify, the word "offer" in the question has no effect.
"Resolves YES if there is at least one commercial launch on a Falcon 9 rocket operated by SpaceX on or after January 1, 2029"
If they stop *offering* new contracts for Falcon 9 launches, but one already contracted one still launches after 2028 this resolves yes?
@ChristopherRandles That's a good call out, thanks! I've changed the wording to "...perform Falcon 9...".
So yes, to be clear, the launch has to take place after 2028, but the contract doesn't have to be signed in 2028.