Liftoff

Elon Musk and the Desperate Early Days That Launched SpaceX

By: Eric Berger

Narrated by: Rob Shapiro

Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

The dramatic inside story of the first four historic flights that launched SpaceX - and Elon Musk - from a shaky start-up into the world's leading-edge rocket company. 

SpaceX has enjoyed a miraculous decade. Less than 20 years after its founding, it boasts the largest constellation of commercial satellites in orbit, has pioneered reusable rockets and in 2020 became the first private company to launch human beings into orbit. Half a century after the space race SpaceX is pushing forward into the cosmos, laying the foundation for our exploration of other worlds.

But before it became one of the most powerful players in the aerospace industry, SpaceX was a fledgling start-up, scrambling to develop a single workable rocket before the money ran dry. The engineering challenge was immense; numerous other private companies had failed similar attempts. And even if SpaceX succeeded, they would then have to compete for government contracts with titans such as Lockheed Martin and Boeing, who had tens of thousands of employees and tens of billions of dollars in annual revenue. SpaceX had fewer than 200 employees and the relative pittance of $100 million in the bank.

In Liftoff, Eric Berger takes listeners inside the wild early days that made SpaceX. Focusing on the company’s first four launches of the Falcon 1 rocket, he charts the bumpy journey from scrappy underdog to aerospace pioneer, drawing upon exclusive interviews with dozens of former and current engineers, designers, mechanics and executives, including Elon Musk. The enigmatic Musk, who founded the company with the dream of one day settling Mars, is the fuel that propels the book, with his daring vision for the future of space.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Eric Berger (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

"Liftoff reads like something out of the Golden Age of Science Fiction, but this isn't a novel by Robert Heinlein or Arthur C. Clarke. This is the true, astounding story of the men and women who spun those sci-fi dreams into reality. This is as important a book on space as has ever been written and it's a riveting page-turner, too!" (Homer Hickam, author of Rocket Boys)

"This might be the best space book I've ever read. Liftoff will prove to be a defining story not only for the commercial space industry, but for the space age writ large, and there's no one better than Eric Berger to tell it." (Kellie Gerardi, author of Not Necessarily Rocket Science)

“This is a book that will hold your rapt attention from start to finish." (Charles Bolden, former NASA administrator and four-time astronaut)

"Just read it." (Elon Musk)

Great book!

Well written, well read. And a great story, a story that’s ongoing. Elon pushing his team’s to greater and greater things. He is by far the most important human being alive, when it comes to the long term survival of the human species.

What a Company

The shear determination of Elon Musk and SpaceX is inspiring! What an enjoyable book it is.

This book proves rocket surgery is a thing

This was an amazing story, series of stories really, of almost unimaginable struggle and stunning triumph. A story of what competence and sheer tenacity can do. The sympathetic focus on the engineers who went all-in with Musk, juxtaposed with Elon's perspective in leading and channeling them, was very enjoyable. Learned details and context and nuance I haven't come across anywhere else. I hope there will be more where this book came from in due time.

Inspirational, it’s not about space!!

As a “fan” (term used loosely) of Space X, I have long watched with anticipation their latest space endeavours. I’ve often heard tales of the fledgling Space X, but I’ve always taken them with a pinch of salt.
This book tells the tale of how Space X began, the personal toil of key members of its staff, how an engineer would wear a technicians hat to one meeting and a chefs hat at mealtimes.
It’s worth a read/listen, easily absorb and I found it to be inspiring, I’m not now going to build a rocket, but I do have renewed faith that hard work and personal sacrifice can and inevitably does reap rewards.

A great story well told

I really enjoyed this audiobook. It's a great story of overcoming multiple challenges and how a team delivered on one man's vision. I have read the autobiography about Musk, and you can see his drive, but the details in the book bring this to a new level.

It was great that the author had access to so many of the key individuals, which added to the story's overall details.

Always go to Eleven

Loved it from the beginning to the end. I couldn't believe how much it seemed like a sci-fi. Remembering that it is a true story - and still in the making, is mind-blowing.
If you are reading the reviews, just stop and get the book, or an audiobook. Rob Shapiro did an amazing job narrating this quintessential read by Eric Berger.

Absolutely brilliant book

Eric Berger is a consummate expert in the field, as anyone who reads Ars Technica will know. Lots of extra detail here that isn’t reported elsewhere. This is one of the most incredibly engaging and inspirational books, brilliantly narrated. Couldn’t put it down and listened almost non-stop till it was finished.

Worth reading

Very interesting and insightful if like me you know virtually nothing about how to go about building and launching rockets

Brilliant

My father, a chartered engineer, recommended this to me on the start of my audiobook journey. It was fantastic, I felt like i was there for the fourth launch and almost cried on my way to work!

A story everyone should read

In 100 years time people will be referring to this book as an amazing account of a few years that changed not only technology but the way that people can reach ever higher to achieve a goal despite constant knockbacks. Amazing.

Hagiography

Interesting if non-critical. You'll have read thks kind of thing before. If you're looking for 'Elon is awesome' you'll find plenty here. If you're more circumspect about him it's a little too fawning.

Absolutley brillant and mindblowing story,

This book is absolutely brilliant. First-hand accounts of one of the most inspiring founder stories from the team who created SpaceX. Great structure and insight.

Great Inspirational Story

It was well worth learning how the space industry was changed for the better by a team of very hardworking people led by Elon Musk who took a great deal of financial and personal risk. The success of SpaceX saved the industry from being doomed to a cartel-like closed club operation between a few companies and governments. For that SpaceX well deserves a round of applause.