So SpaceX is having quite a year

Enlarge / Things are looking up for SpaceX in 2017. (credit: SpaceX)

SpaceX had difficult years in 2015 and 2016, as two accidents with its Falcon 9 rocket hit the company's bottom line and raised some concerns about its reliability in the global launch market. But now the company seems to have bounced back nicely, and after a little more than five months the company is on pace to have an absolutely stellar 2017.

At the outset of this year, Ars Technica highlighted four achievements that could make 2017 an "annus mirabilis" for SpaceX. Our updated scorecard, shown below, demonstrates that SpaceX has made some impressive progress toward accomplishing these goals-and more-during what is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the company.

1. Fly a used booster (done)

SpaceX achieved its first goal in late March with the launch of the SES-10 communications satellite to geostationary transfer orbit. The 10-story-tall first stage launched for the second time in its existence. After sending the 5-ton payload on its way to 36,000km above the Earth, it returned safely to the planet.

Read 13 remaining paragraphs | Comments