Missed

SpaceX's rocket services the ISS with astronauts and cargo

Elon Musk promised SpaceX's rocket services the ISS with astronauts and cargo starting in 2011 by the end of 2011. The deadline passed and it didn't happen.

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“starting in 2011, SpaceX's rocket will replace the space shuttle in servicing the space station with astronauts and cargo transportation”
— Elon Musk · Jan 3, 2007 · PBS Wired Science Interview (January 3, 2007), video, ~00:02:40 00:02:40 ↗
Video: PBS Wired Science Interview (January 3, 2007), video, ~00:02:40
▶ WATCH HIM SAY IT @ 00:02:40 — PBS WIRED SCIENCE INTERVIEW (JANUARY 3, 2007), VIDEO, ~00:02:40
What actually happened

Dragon first reached the ISS on the COTS Demo 2 cargo flight in May 2012. The first operational cargo run (CRS-1) was in October 2012, and astronauts first flew on Crew Dragon Demo-2 in May 2020. Wikipedia: SpaceX Dragon (COTS 2 May 2012; Demo-2 May 2020) ↗

The Progression

Jan 3, 2007
The promise: “starting in 2011, SpaceX's rocket will replace the space shuttle in servicing the space station with astronauts and cargo transportation” · PBS Wired Science Interview (January 3, 2007), video, ~00:02:40 00:02:40 ↗
Dec 31, 2011
Deadline passed. Dragon first reached the ISS on the COTS Demo 2 cargo flight in May 2012. The first operational cargo run (CRS-1) was in October 2012, and astronauts first flew on Crew Dragon Demo-2 in May 2020. Wikipedia: SpaceX Dragon (COTS 2 May 2012; Demo-2 May 2020) ↗
Today · Oct 12, 2026
Status: Missed · 5,399 days past due. Never happened.

In a 2007 PBS Wired Science interview Elon Musk said that from 2011 SpaceX's rocket would replace the Space Shuttle for carrying astronauts and cargo to the space station. Cargo began in 2012 and crew in 2020.

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Receipts

LAST CHECKED 2026-10-12

SpaceX’s record

Delivered
31
38% of resolved claims delivered.
Missed
50
Deadline passed, still no-show.
Still open
43
On the clock now. All 124 SpaceX claims →

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Discussion

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