# SpaceX Data Scraper (`crawlergang/spacex-scraper`) Actor

Scrape SpaceX mission data from the official public SpaceX API - launches, rockets, crew members, Starlink satellites, launchpads, and more. No authentication required.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/crawlergang/spacex-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [Crawler Gang](https://apify.com/crawlergang) (community)
- **Categories:** Developer tools, Automation
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 11 bookmarks
- **User rating**: 5.00 out of 5 stars

## Pricing

from $3.00 / 1,000 results

This Actor is paid per event and usage. You are charged both the fixed price for specific events and for Apify platform usage.
Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

Actors are web data automations that power AI and operations. They run on the Apify platform to scrape websites, process data, connect APIs, and automate workflows.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.
Actors are written with capital "A".

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.
The best way to integrate Actors is as follows.

- **AI agents and MCP clients** — the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/integrations/mcp.md) at `https://mcp.apify.com` (remote, streamable HTTP, OAuth on first use).
- **Agentic workflows and local Actor development** — [Agent Skills](https://apify.com/.well-known/agent-skills/index.json) with the [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): `npm install -g apify-cli`, then `apify login`.
- **JavaScript/TypeScript projects** — the official [JS/TS client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md): `npm install apify-client`.
- **Python projects** — the official [Python client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md): `pip install apify-client`.
- **Any other language** — the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md).

For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below.

For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt).

# README

## SpaceX Data Scraper

Extract SpaceX mission data from the [official SpaceX public API](https://api.spacexdata.com/v4). Get launches, rockets, crew members, Starlink satellites, capsules, launchpads, and more — all without any authentication.

### Features

- **9 data modes** — launches, rockets, crew, starlink, capsules, launchpads, landpads, ships, payloads
- **205+ launches** — with success/failure status, payloads, links, and imagery
- **Starlink constellation** — 3,500+ satellite tracking data
- **Crew profiles** — 30+ astronauts with mission assignments
- **Filter options** — upcoming launches, successful-only launches
- **No authentication required** — uses the free public SpaceX API

### Input

| Field | Type | Description | Default |
|-------|------|-------------|---------|
| `mode` | Select | Type of SpaceX data to extract | `launches` |
| `upcoming` | Boolean | Fetch only upcoming launches (mode=launches) | `false` |
| `successOnly` | Boolean | Fetch only successful launches (mode=launches) | `false` |
| `maxItems` | Integer | Max records to return (1–5000) | `100` |

#### Modes

| Mode | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `launches` | All SpaceX missions with details |
| `rockets` | Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, Starship specs |
| `crew` | Astronaut profiles and mission assignments |
| `starlink` | Satellite constellation tracking data |
| `capsules` | Dragon capsule status and history |
| `launchpads` | Launch site details and coordinates |
| `landpads` | Landing zone details |
| `ships` | Recovery vessel fleet |
| `payloads` | Cargo manifest data |

#### Example Input

```json
{
  "mode": "launches",
  "successOnly": true,
  "maxItems": 50
}
```

### Output

#### Launches Mode

| Field | Type | Description |
|-------|------|-------------|
| `launchId` | String | Unique launch ID |
| `name` | String | Mission name |
| `flightNumber` | Integer | SpaceX flight number |
| `dateUtc` | String | Launch date/time UTC |
| `upcoming` | Boolean | Is this a future launch? |
| `success` | Boolean | Was the launch successful? |
| `details` | String | Mission description |
| `rocketId` | String | Rocket ID reference |
| `launchpadId` | String | Launchpad ID reference |
| `payloadIds` | Array | Payload ID references |
| `crew` | Array | Crew assignment references |
| `failures` | Array | Failure details if applicable |
| `fairings` | Object | Fairing recovery status |
| `links` | Object | Webcast URL, Wikipedia, patch images, Flickr photos |

#### Rockets Mode

Rocket specs including height, diameter, mass, stages, payload weights, cost per launch, success rate, and Wikipedia link.

#### Crew Mode

Astronaut name, agency, current status, Wikipedia link, and list of launch IDs they participated in.

#### Starlink Mode

Satellite version, orbit parameters (height, latitude, longitude, velocity), TLE data, and epoch.

### FAQ

**Does this require an API key?**
No. The SpaceX API (api.spacexdata.com) is completely free and open.

**How current is the launch data?**
The API is community-maintained and updated after each SpaceX launch.

**Can I get images from launches?**
Yes, the `links.flickrImages` field in launches contains URLs to official Flickr photos.

**What is the difference between launchpads and landpads?**
Launchpads are where rockets launch from (e.g., LC-39A). Landpads are where first stages land (e.g., LZ-1, OCISLY).

**How many Starlink satellites are tracked?**
Over 3,500 Starlink satellites are tracked in the API with orbital data.

# Actor input Schema

## `mode` (type: `string`):

Type of SpaceX data to extract.

## `upcoming` (type: `boolean`):

When mode=launches, return only future scheduled launches.

## `successOnly` (type: `boolean`):

When mode=launches, return only successful launches.

## `maxItems` (type: `integer`):

Maximum number of records to return.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "mode": "launches",
  "upcoming": false,
  "successOnly": false,
  "maxItems": 100
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `spaceXData` (type: `string`):

Dataset containing SpaceX data depending on the selected mode.

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "mode": "launches",
    "upcoming": false,
    "successOnly": false,
    "maxItems": 100
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("crawlergang/spacex-scraper").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "mode": "launches",
    "upcoming": False,
    "successOnly": False,
    "maxItems": 100,
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("crawlergang/spacex-scraper").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"])
for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "mode": "launches",
  "upcoming": false,
  "successOnly": false,
  "maxItems": 100
}' |
apify call crawlergang/spacex-scraper --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "mcp-remote",
                "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=crawlergang/spacex-scraper",
                "--header",
                "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR_API_TOKEN>"
            ]
        }
    }
}

```

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/cuhGTlgjZqSVFDm2M/builds/WGEeaaK5kLbtXkSzf/openapi.json