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Elon Musk’s Space Exploration Technologies (SPCX) is preparing to phase out Falcon 9, the rocket that turned the company into a powerhouse in commercial spaceflight, as it shifts its focus to the much larger Starship. The change is significant because the Falcon 9 is still in considerable demand. It completed a record 165 launches in 2025, making it one of the most heavily used rockets in the world. The problem is that SpaceX may be moving away from Falcon 9 before enough replacement launch capacity is available.
The company has reportedly stopped accepting new Falcon 9 rideshare customers, while several spacecraft companies have been told that launches are booked through 2028 or even 2029. With satellite deployments, national security missions, and commercial space projects all growing, the industry could face a shortage of available launches. SpaceX is also increasingly using Falcon 9 for its Starlink satellites, leaving fewer launches for outside customers. Reuters estimates that Starlink accounted for about 79% of Falcon 9's missions in 2026, up sharply from 54% in 2020.
