Gwynne Shotwell, President and COO of SpaceX, recently reflected on the company's extraordinary 2020 achievements, including its first crewed missions to the ISS. She expressed strong confidence in Starship reaching Earth orbit this year.
As an aerospace engineer, Shotwell joined SpaceX in 2002, shortly after Elon Musk founded the company. She started by selling launch services for the Falcon 1 rocket. Over time, mutual trust with Musk grew, expanding her role. By 2008, she became President and Chief Operating Officer—Elon Musk's key right-hand leader.
Shotwell recently highlighted SpaceX's 2020 successes amid the pandemic: a record 26 launches, the first crewed missions to the ISS, initial Starship tests, and becoming the world's largest satellite operator via Starlink.
“It was a year of highlights,” she said in an interview. Sending astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley to orbit and back safely stood out: "Getting Bob and Doug into orbit and getting them back safely, especially during this time, was really awesome."
These historic missions owe much to Shotwell's 15-year constructive NASA relationship. In 2006, she secured SpaceX's first NASA contract for ISS cargo transport.
Shotwell works closely with commercial satellite customers to embrace Falcon 9 booster reuse. SpaceX uses proven first stages, thanks to her efforts ensuring service control.
Generally, SpaceX decides the booster unless clients insist otherwise. "You buy a launch service, and we'll get you the best possible vehicle in the time you need to fly," she explains.
Convincing customers on reused rockets proved easier than initial Falcon 1 and 9 sales. SpaceX delivered on promises: affordable, reliable launchers.
“People trust organizations that do what they say. We orbited Falcon 1, then Falcon 9, reached the ISS—sales got easier,” she notes.
Shotwell is selling Starship services despite early testing. In March 2020, SpaceX released a user guide; talks continue. She emphasizes selling 'launch capabilities,' not specific vehicles.
“We sign agreements allowing Falcon or Starship choices. We provide cost-effective, reliable launches," she says, enabling Falcon fallback if needed.
Starship testing advances rapidly; Shotwell, typically cautious, is very confident in 2021 orbital flight. Prototypes build at one per month—unprecedented pace. "This shows how the industry can improve—and it deserves better."
