SpaceX Falcon 1 (2006-2008)
SpaceX's first rocket, Falcon 1, failed on its first three launch attempts before reaching orbit on the fourth try in September 2008. The company nearly ran out of money before that success.
The fourth flight success secured a NASA contract and kept SpaceX alive.
Falcon 1 proved private rockets could reach orbit, leading to the Falcon 9 and a commercial launch industry.
Like SpaceX, South Korea's Nuri program absorbed early failure before building a success streak. The parallel shows how repeated flights build reliability and open commercial markets.
