AI illustration: Falcon Heavy launch 2013
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Delivered · Late

Falcon Heavy launch 2013

“We expect to see the vehicle on the pad in November or December of next year… Expecting to see a launch sometime in 2013.”
— as reported (paraphrase) · Apr 5, 2011 · SpaceX official 'SpaceX Next - Falcon Heavy Press Conference', National Press Club, Apr 5 2011 21:00 ↗
Video: SpaceX official 'SpaceX Next - Falcon Heavy Press Conference', National Press Club, Apr 5 2011
▶ WATCH HIM SAY IT @ 21:00 — SPACEX OFFICIAL 'SPACEX NEXT - FALCON HEAVY PRESS CONFERENCE', NATIONAL PRESS CLUB, APR 5 2011
What actually happened

SpaceX unveiled Falcon Heavy at an April 2011 press conference targeting a 2013 first flight. Repeated delays (Falcon 9 anomalies, integration challenges) pushed the maiden launch to February 6, 2018, when it successfully flew carrying a Tesla Roadster - roughly five years past the original target. Wikipedia: Falcon Heavy test flight (maiden launch Feb 6 2018) ↗

The Progression

Apr 5, 2011
The promise: “We expect to see the vehicle on the pad in November or December of next year… Expecting to see a launch sometime in 2013.” · SpaceX official 'SpaceX Next - Falcon Heavy Press Conference', National Press Club, Apr 5 2011 21:00 ↗
Feb 6, 2018
Delivered · Late — 4.1 years late. SpaceX unveiled Falcon Heavy at an April 2011 press conference targeting a 2013 first flight. Repeated delays (Falcon 9 anomalies, integration challenges) pushed the maiden launch to February 6, 2018, when it successfully flew carrying a Tesla Roadster - roughly five years past the original target. Wikipedia: Falcon Heavy test flight (maiden launch Feb 6 2018) ↗
Today · Sep 10, 2026
Status: Delivered · Late · 4.1 years late. It happened — eventually.

At an April 2011 press conference at the National Press Club, Musk announced the Falcon Heavy with a first launch initially scheduled for 2013. The rocket did eventually fly — its debut came on February 6, 2018, more than four years behind the original schedule — making this one delivered, but delivered late.

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LAST CHECKED 2026-06-22

SpaceX’s record

Delivered
9
50% of resolved claims delivered.
Missed
9
Deadline passed, still no-show.
Still open
30
On the clock now. All 48 SpaceX claims →

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