Pending
Pending
SpaceX Fable/GPT-6-level model in 2–3 months
“I am cautiously optimistic that SpaceX will have a Fable/GPT-6 level model in 2 to 3 months”
Elon Musk promised A Falcon 9 'mini-BFR' upper stage flying to orbit by June 2019 by Jun 30, 2019. The plan was shelved.
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“Falcon 9 second stage will be upgraded to be like a mini-BFR Ship. Aiming for orbital flight by June.”
— Elon Musk · Nov 7, 2018 · SpaceNews, Nov 7 2018, quoting Musk's tweets ↗
What actually happened
Ten days later, on Nov 17 2018, Musk tweeted that SpaceX was 'no longer planning to upgrade Falcon 9 second stage for reusability. Accelerating BFR instead.' The mini-BFR stage never flew. SpaceNews, Nov 17 2018: Musk drops the Falcon 9 upper-stage plan ↗
The Progression
Nov 7, 2018
The promise: “Falcon 9 second stage will be upgraded to be like a mini-BFR Ship. Aiming for orbital flight by June.” · SpaceNews, Nov 7 2018, quoting Musk's tweets ↗
Jun 30, 2019
Deadline passed. Ten days later, on Nov 17 2018, Musk tweeted that SpaceX was 'no longer planning to upgrade Falcon 9 second stage for reusability. Accelerating BFR instead.' The mini-BFR stage never flew. SpaceNews, Nov 17 2018: Musk drops the Falcon 9 upper-stage plan ↗
Today · Oct 12, 2026
Status: Cancelled · shelved. Quietly shelved.
In November 2018 Elon Musk said SpaceX would turn the Falcon 9 second stage into a small BFR test ship and fly it to orbit by June 2019. He cancelled the plan ten days later.
Receipts
LAST CHECKED 2026-10-11SpaceX’s record
Delivered
23
62% of resolved claims delivered.
Missed
14
Deadline passed, still no-show.
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SpaceX completes ~10 more Starships in 2026
“roughly 10 more ships and about half that number of boosters this year”
← Grokipedia v0.1 published in two weeks (Oct 2025)
Superchargers cover 100% of Europe in 2019, Ireland to Kiev →
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