Elon Musk Predicts Rocket Launches Will Be as Routine as Airline Flights

SpaceX chief says enhanced reusability eventually will enable the same booster to fly 100 times

Staking out another bold space objective, Elon Musk said the latest configuration of his rocket is designed to fly as many as 10 times without any scheduled maintenance, and ultimately could be refurbished and blast off at least 100 times.

Speaking Thursday before the first planned launch of an upgraded SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, Mr. Musk spelled out his long-term vision of reusability, a concept he has pioneered to revolutionize space transportation. The mission from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center was aborted by a last-minute...