Reentry by Eric Berger: The Epic Tale of SpaceX’s Ascent

I had the privilege of reading Reentry by Eric Berger before its official release today, and I must say, it surpassed all my expectations. Berger delivers an enthralling account of SpaceX’s meteoric rise and the transformation of the space industry.

Picking up where his previous work, Liftoff (2021), left off, Reentry explores the period following the success of Falcon 1, with the introduction of the Falcon 9 rocket marking the start of a new era in space exploration.

SpaceX’s journey, from underdog to the dominant player in the aerospace sector, is nothing short of remarkable. Berger masterfully recounts this evolution, intertwining technical advancements with the human stories behind them. His detailed, unprecedented insider access to the company allows readers a rare glimpse into how SpaceX upended decades of stagnant thinking and transformed the way we approach space exploration.

The anatomy of disruption: SpaceX’s Falcon 9 revolution

Berger’s narration starts in November 2008, with the origins of the Falcon 9 rocket, which then became the workhorse of SpaceX’s operations and the backbone of its commercial success.

SpaceX’s pioneering work in rocket reusability—culminating in the now-iconic landings of Falcon 9 boosters on drone ships—was a gamble that many experts initially thought impossible. Yet, as Berger vividly describes, it was this daring that set SpaceX apart from traditional aerospace giants.

Reentry tells exactly this, the willingness to defy industry norms. SpaceX’s approach to cutting costs and iterating rapidly, instead of following the slow and expensive practices of its competitors, allowed it to push boundaries far beyond what had been achieved before.

Berger recounts the hair-raising challenges of developing this technology, such as cutting a cracked nozzle of a Merlin engine just three inches shorter before the Dragon capsule demo launch—an emblematic move of SpaceX’s “fail fast, fix faster” mentality. This calculated risk-taking, fostered by Elon Musk’s relentless drive and unorthodox leadership, creates an exciting atmosphere throughout the book.

Berger, who has extensive experience covering the space industry as senior space editor at Ars Technica, paints a vivid picture of late-night engineering sprints, explosive rocket tests, and elation at breakthrough successes.

The competitive landscape

One of the major themes Berger emphasizes is how SpaceX, a scrappy upstart, took on entrenched players—both governmental and private. From its earliest days, SpaceX was viewed with skepticism by legacy aerospace companies, many of which had settled into a rhythm of slow innovation and government-funded projects. Reentry also explores how those SpaceX’s rivals struggled to adapt to the rapidly changing landscape.

In all fairness, Berger doesn’t shy away from addressing the friction SpaceX faced in disrupting the space industry. Nevertheless, SpaceX’s success was undeniable. Berger expertly captures the “David versus Goliath” nature of the early SpaceX story, which transitions into a narrative of SpaceX becoming a Goliath itself.

I read this book while traveling, waiting for launches at 3am, attending space events, and taking flights. I finished it in Paris during the World Space Business Week, and it took me a few moments to realize what sets Reentry apart from other books I’ve read. Its strength lies in its focus on the human side of SpaceX’s accomplishments.

This is not a book about Elon Musk—though, of course, he is a key figure. Berger’s work spans far beyond the man who founded SpaceX. He explores how, for many engineers, working at SpaceX wasn’t just a job but a life mission.

The company’s “obsession” with reaching Mars and pushing the boundaries of human capability meant its employees often sacrificed personal time, working long hours and facing immense stress. The human costs of these efforts are evident, many of the engineers Berger interviewed are no longer with the company.

Nevertheless, SpaceX’s culture of tireless innovation and belief in the impossible led the company to develop some of the most advanced space technologies on Earth.

As of Elon Musk, Berger describes him as both visionary and demanding, often setting near-impossible deadlines that most other companies would consider unreasonable. Yet it is precisely this audacity, Berger argues, that has allowed SpaceX to thrive.

Dog not scared

One of my favorite thing of Reentry was also how it gave readers a peek into insider moments at SpaceX, details only employees would know. The “Dog not scared” story, for instance, perfectly encapsulates the gritty, fearless attitude that defined SpaceX’s culture during its early years.

The phrase started when a stray dog named Rockette (pun intended) fearlessly crossed thin metal sheets high up on the “tripod” test platform at the company’s McGregor test site. Those metal plate allowed engineers to work on the bottom of Falcon 9, but some of those were scared to walk there.

“As you were crawling around under the engines on these bomb bay doors, they would move and ripple and dent,” said Roger Carlson, a physicist who worked on Falcon 9. “You would start to wonder whether they were going to hold your weight.”

When someone inquired, “Dog not scared?” the phrase quickly became popular. This soon evolved into the company’s way of saying “yes” to impossible tasks. These little anecdotes bring the human element of SpaceX’s daring and drive to life in a unique way.

A must-read for space enthusiasts

The book also chronicles how Musk’s leadership fostered an environment where failure was not feared but embraced as part of the learning process—a radical shift from the risk-averse culture that had defined the aerospace industry for decades.

Reentry is more than just a corporate history; it is a story about innovation, risk, and the future of humanity in space. Berger’s thorough research and engaging writing make this a must-read for anyone interested in the aerospace industry or the larger-than-life ambitions of SpaceX.

Whether you’re a die-hard SpaceX fan or a casual observer of the space industry, I encourage you to grab a copy of Reentry. The book, much like its subject, is filled with excitement and ambition, capturing the spirit of a company that continues to push the boundaries of what is possible.