The untold story of Malaysia's role in SpaceX's survival.
Malaysia was instrumental in keeping SpaceX alive in its early years. One could argue it helped save Elon during his lowest financial period.
Falcon 1's first three launches, 2006 to 2008, all failed. The company was nearly bankrupt โ grown men were weeping after the third failure. The fourth flight in September 2008 finally reached orbit with a dummy payload, RatSat. But still, no paying customer.
SpaceX needed a real commercial customer to prove the business was viable.
That customer was Malaysia.
Malaysia was looking to launch its satellite, RazakSAT, and needed a reliable, cost-effective option. Dr Ahmad Sabirin first give Elon a call on Christmas 2003 to explore the possibilities of launching of satellite to the low equatorial orbit and met in El Segundo, And after many discussions, they agreed to launch from Omelek Island in the Kwajalein Atoll.
On July 14, 2009, RazakSAT flew โ the fifth and final Falcon 1, and SpaceX's first-ever commercial launch. The Malaysian flag Jalur Gemilang was painted on the side of the rocket.
That payment helped SpaceX make payroll through its hardest stretch. And it put Malaysia in orbit. Win win.
For old times' sake, Elon should drop by Malaysia. Ask someone to hold his teh tarik for one more handshake.
Dr Ahmad Sabirin & Elon, 2004.
The anime community barely talks about it, but Alita: Battle Angel is one of the best live-action adaptations ever made.
This is exactly how you do it right. ๐ฅ
SpaceX's Starship rocket just successfully performed a flip maneuver and precisely splashed down on target in the Indian Ocean next to a buoy with @Starlink on it.
The SpaceX team ends the stream with a "USA! USA! USA!" chant ๐บ๐ธ
BREAKING ๐จ: SpaceX's Starship V3 megarocket is set to make its first launch on Thursday (May 21)
It's the most heavily redesigned Starship since flights began in 2023
Liftoff is targeted for 6:30 PM ET from Starbase, Texas ๐