SpaceX Ship Names Meaning: Where the Strange Names Come From
SpaceX Barge Ships
“Of course, I still love you, just read the instructions,” may sound like something a family member or significant other would say but for Elon Musk these are the names for his beloved drone ships. If you’ve ever wondered about the SpaceX ship names meaning, you’re not alone—many of the company’s most unusual names come directly from science fiction and pop culture.
Musk’s creativity through the naming of each of these rockets, drones and systems are an ode to a larger passion and each has meaning behind them. “Just Read The Instructions” and “Of Course I Still Love You”, are the most notable because Musk named them after the illustrious sci-fi author Iain M. Banks who passed away from cancer in 2013. These drone ships are where the first-stage rocket boosters land after having separated from the first stage.
SpaceX Faring Recovery Ships
The meaning behind SpaceX ship names continues with the fairing recovery vessels. Mystery and mischief may not be the two words you’d associate with being helpful but in this case there are two vessels with a large net structure at the ready to capture any fairing halves, which are the protective covering surrounding any cargo on launch vehicles. These identical ships are in support of the SpaceX fairing recovery program. GO Ms. Tree and GO Ms. Chief! Did you catch the puns? If you didn’t, something you could catch is the next rocket launch and you can find more information on the Space Launch Schedule website.
SpaceX Rocket Boosters
The SpaceX ship names meaning ties into rocket names like Falcon 9. Rocket Monkey covers a variety of launches including those of the Falcon 9 rocket named after the Millenium Falcon, Han Solo’s spaceship from Star Wars. Its sibling, the Falcon Heavy is the world’s largest rocket, more powerful and critical for SpaceX trips to Mars and the moon living up to Solo’s infamous ride. Never miss a Falcon 9 rocket launch, view the rocket launch schedule.
SpaceX Spacecraft
Understanding the SpaceX ship names meaning also explains the origins of Dragon spacecraft. If Falcon’s aren’t your main mode of transportation, have you considered flying a dragon? With Musk’s unique creativity anything can happen but for now the Cargo Dragon and Crew Dragon spacecraft are part of the active spacecraft delivering cargo and astronauts to the International Space Station. Dragon was a term Musk coined from the Peter, Paul and Mary song, “Puff, the Magic Dragon”. This is very symbolic for Musk as he said critics considered his goals to be impossible when initially founding SpaceX in 2002. These names reflect how critics once viewed SpaceX’s ambitions.
FAQ Section
Why do SpaceX ships have such strange names?
The SpaceX ship names meaning comes largely from Elon Musk’s love of science fiction, particularly the works of author Iain M. Banks.
Who named SpaceX drone ships like Of Course I Still Love You?
Elon Musk personally selected many SpaceX drone ship names, often drawing inspiration from books, films, and music.
What do SpaceX drone ship names mean?
Drone ship names like Just Read the Instructions and Of Course I Still Love You are references to advanced spacecraft in sci-fi literature.
Are SpaceX fairing recovery ships named differently?
Yes. Fairing recovery ships like GO Ms. Tree and GO Ms. Chief use wordplay and humor, continuing the SpaceX ship naming tradition.
Are SpaceX rocket names connected to ship names?
While different, both SpaceX ship and rocket names reflect Musk’s fascination with science fiction and pop culture.
The SpaceX ship names meaning reveals Elon Musk’s deep appreciation for science fiction, humor, and storytelling, turning recovery vessels into icons of modern spaceflight. To remain up to date on the next novel names Musk comes up with, upcoming launches, space news, and historic information on space join us on Facebook, visit our website or download the iOS or Android app “Space Launch Schedule.”
What was your favorite SpaceX name?
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