From left to right: Gwynne Shotwell, Elon Musk and Tim Hughes. Getty Images

Once a far-fetched dream in Elon Musk’s head, space travel is now a high-stakes reality and big business. What began as a bold experiment in 2002 has grown into SpaceX, a powerhouse of over 13,000 employees and a $427 billion valuation. In just two decades, the company has redefined the limits of private spaceflight, becoming the first non-government entity to launch and return a spacecraft from orbit and to send astronauts to the International Space Station.

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But SpaceX is more than just Musk’s vision. Behind the rockets, satellites and spacecraft is a team of brilliant engineers and hands-on leaders turning ambition into action.

Here are the key figures helping steer one of the most innovative companies on (and off) the planet.

Elon Musk: CEO, CTO and chief designer

Elon Musk founded SpaceX in 2002 and currently serves as its CEO, chief technology officer, and chief designer. Despite leading several other companies, Musk remains intensely involved in the........

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