Liftoff

Elon Musk and the Desperate Early Days That Launched SpaceX

By: Eric Berger

Narrated by: Rob Shapiro

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

In 2006, SpaceX—a brand-new venture with fewer than 200 employees—rolled its first, single-engine rocket onto a launch pad at Kwajalein Atoll. After a groundbreaking launch from the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the Falcon 1 rocket designed by Elon Musk’s engineers rose in the air for approximately thirty seconds. Then, its engine flamed out, and the rocket crashed back into the ocean.

In 2007, SpaceX undertook a second launch. This time, the rocket rose far into space, but just before reaching orbit it spun out of control. Confident of success in 2008, Musk and his team launched their third rocket with several paying customers. The first stage executed perfectly, but instead of falling away, it thudded into the second stage. Another failure. Elon Musk had only budgeted for three attempts when he founded SpaceX.

Out of money and with a single Falcon 1 rocket left in its factory, SpaceX decided to try one last, dramatic launch. Over eight weeks, engineers worked furiously to prepare this final rocket. The fate of Musk’s venture mirrored the trajectory of this slender, single-engine rocket aimed toward the skies. If it crashed and burned, so would SpaceX. In September 2008, SpaceX’s last chance for success lifted off . . . and accelerated like a dream, soaring into orbit flawlessly.

That success would launch a miraculous decade for the company, in which SpaceX grew from building a single-engine rocket to one with a staggering 27 engines; created two different spacecraft, and mastered reusable-rocket descents using mobile drone ships on the open seas. It marked a level of production and achievement that has not been seen since the space race of the 1960s.

But these achievements would not have been possible without SpaceX’s first four flight tests. Drawing on unparalleled access and exclusive interviews with dozens of former and current employees—engineers, designers, mechanics, and executives, including Elon Musk—Eric Berger tells the complete story of this foundational generation that transformed SpaceX into the world’s leading space company.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

Great Story, Go SpaceX!

Well researched and written story of the founding and initial launches of SpaceX. Having followed SpaceX for 15 years, I was pleased to hear things that were new and truly "inside" scoops. Thanks Eric for the time and effort to document the beginning.

An incredible story!

I really, really enjoyed this book. Unlike many other books that center around Elon Musk, this book centers around the key employees and the demands placed on them. It really shines a light on why SpaceX was successful and will continue to be so. The relentless pursuit of more, undeniably, leads to more.

Inspiring

An amazing true story that will inspire you. The storytelling is thoughtful and clear. An absolute joy to listen to, follow along, and cheer for the SpaceX team.

An Amazing Tale

An amazing tale told eloquently. loved every minute of it. Can't wait to watch Starship go orbital after hearing about the struggles this team faced just getting Falcon 1 orbital.

LIFTOFF is the BEST BOOK since DUNE

Eric Berger’s new book reads like a science fiction novel with one difference... it’s REAL.