SpaceX Vice President: Scaling rockets is easy, scaling reliability is the real war! Lee Rosen

The next revolution in spaceflight was never just about building rockets, it was about building the systems, infrastructure, and human readiness to launch them reliably. The moment SpaceX learned not only to reach orbit but to repeat launches with precision, cadence, and confidence, the modern era of commercial space began. Few people realize this: launch pads, mission operations, crew systems, and astronaut training were as critical to SpaceX’s success as the rockets themselves. Without them, Falcon 9 would be a milestone. With them, it became a machine of history.

In this episode of The Joshua Olaiya Show, we dive deep into the operational backbone that turned SpaceX into a launch powerhouse. We explore:

How SpaceX scaled from the fragile early days of Falcon 1 to the robust, high-frequency infrastructure that powers Falcon 9 today, and the engineering hurdles behind it.

The mission-operations architecture that allowed SpaceX to serve military, civil, and commercial customers simultaneously, and the systems built to adapt to wildly different requirements.

The evolution of Dragon as SpaceX’s first human-rated spacecraft, and the safety, design, and operational breakthroughs needed to meet NASA’s standards.

We’re joined by Lee Rosen, a U.S. Air Force Colonel who spent over 23 years serving as a space operator, engineer and acquisition officer with tours at the Pentagon, the National Reconnaissance Office and Air Force Space Command. He then joined SpaceX where, as Vice President of Mission & Launch Operations (and Customer Operations & Integration), he played an instrumental role in building three Falcon 9/Heavy launch pads, overseeing hundreds of military, civil and commercial missions, and managing cargo and crew operations. In 2022 he co-founded ThinkOrbital (where he serves as Co-Founder, President & Chief Strategy Officer/CEO), driving development of large-volume, autonomously assembled infrastructure in space such as in-orbit welding, cutting and inspection tools.

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The Joshua Olaiya Podcast is the ultimate destination for tech, robotics, and AI innovation. What started as a simple passion for building robots has grown into a platform where we explore the future of technology, one conversation at a time.

From robotics and AI breakthroughs to entrepreneurship and visionary ideas, this podcast is about unlocking Africa’s potential through technology. We dive deep into conversations with engineers, innovators, and tech leaders, breaking down complex ideas in a way that inspires and educates.

Today, The Joshua Olaiya Podcast is home to disruptive ideas and bold dreams. Every episode uncovers the stories of builders, thinkers, and creators who are shaping the future. Whether it's pioneering new robotics, reimagining AI, or pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, this platform is about driving innovation in Africa and beyond.

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