United Launch Alliance's years-long delays with its new Vulcan rocket have flipped the script for national security missions, making SpaceX the new reliable provider.

Musk probably doesn’t have much to fear. Legally, the Trump administration would likely enmire itself in lengthy legal disputes if it appeared to cancel contracts out of spite. Moreover, as the world’s No. 1 launch provider and maker of low-Earth orbit satellites, SpaceX may have made itself indispensable.

As new rockets and space companies arrive on the scene, this workhorse of a rocket, the Falcon 9, remains the most common rocket launched from Florida launch pads. It debuted 15 years ago this week, and has changed not only the launch cadence on the Space Coast but the entire industry.

SpaceX launched an advanced GPS satellite for the U.S. Space Force from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

A remarkable schoolyard brawl erupted online Thursday between President Donald Trump and his former "First Buddy" Elon Musk during which the pair traded insults and barbs. The war of words reached a crescendo during the afternoon when Trump threatened Musk's federal contracts.

The launch was the second in a series the Space Force is running to test its ability to launch high-value satellites in response to operational needs.

WASHINGTON: SpaceX chief Elon Musk said on Thursday (Jun 5) he would begin "decommissioning" his company's Dragon spacecraft - vital for ferrying NASA astronauts to and from the International Space Station - after US President Donald Trump threatened to terminate his government contracts.