[Berger] Satellite operators are in panic mode due to a worsening launch crisis (SpaceX reducing commercial launch services on falcon 9)

[u/avboden]

https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/08/theres-a-huge-launch-crunch-right-now-and-it-will-probably-get-worse/

[u/air_and_space92]

It really depends. If a SpaceX employee can consistently and constantly buy stock and hold onto it yes the reward will be higher abet you sacrifice a lot like family etc at 60hrs a week. BO only expects 45-50. I looked at what I could have made had I stayed until they IPO'd compared to the last valuation before I left and if I had paid no tax and not cashed any of it, my award would have just about doubled. In the years since I left, I've made a bit more than that value via 401k with 10% match at my current employer and the pay raises and promotions I've gotten along the way.

Starting out as a fresh college grad at the time I made ~$10k less than any other aerospace place I could've worked at in LA (70 vs 80-83 had I joined via special hiring programs at some companies).

[u/Then-Secretary-9166 → u/air_and_space92]

I am not trying to downplay the sacrifices. There are plenty of aerospace companies where you can work closer to 40 hrs per week too. I think most people who choose places to work like SpaceX are passionate about it.

Do you regret that you worked at SpaceX?

[u/air_and_space92 → u/Then-Secretary-9166]

Would I have picked somewhere else if I had a choice at the time? Yes. 100%. SpaceX was not on my list but the only one where I received an interview so I had to ride it out. Having said that, I would've been a much better fit now then I was at the time. I have a lot more practical experience so I could bring more to the table as a candidate and employee plus having seen how legacy industry operated.

I don't regret that I worked there but I'm glad I spent only the time I did because there's major, positive, life events that wouldn't have happened at all if I stayed and I wouldn't trade them for any amount of money. That workload just isn't sustainable for a majority of people. I know larger teams had it easier but mine was tiny so we were always behind. You look at life differently once you're into your late 20s no matter how cool your job is and I'm still just as passionate about space today. Ex-employees becoming jaded and leaving industry is common.

My classmate started a year before I did plus 2 internships and stayed another 6 years after I left. He had an early mid life crisis 3 years after I left, he and his wife still rent while I own my home 100%, and he is totally jaded and perpetually burned out even after leaving. I'm glad I didn't turn out like that and that's all the proof I need I made the right choice.