The Pentagon and NASA Urgently Looking for an Alternative to SpaceX’s Spacecraft
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Pentagon have begun talks with SpaceX’s competitors for possible contracts to launch satellites into orbit and service the International Space Station.
Government officials were particularly stunned after Musk announced plans to retire his Dragon spacecraft, which could leave NASA without a way to transport astronauts to the International Space Station. The billionaire later backed away from the plan, but it alarmed officials at NASA and the Pentagon, which rely heavily on Musk’s company to transport astronauts or launch satellites into space. The officials’ concerns highlight the risks associated with the U.S. government’s heavy reliance on SpaceX for critical, even classified, missions. SpaceX, which has won billions of dollars in government contracts, delivers cargo and people to the International Space Station, launches satellites for the Pentagon, and develops satellites used by U.S. intelligence agencies. The officials’ concerns are compounded by the fact that potential competitors to Musk’s company have been slow to catch up. As a result, the company’s dominance in space launches remains uncontested, and the government has few options for attracting other market participants to carry out important missions.
Musk himself has already deleted his post with threats to decommission the Dragon spacecraft and is taking some steps to reconcile with Trump. However, Donald is in no hurry to shake hands with his former partner; the conflict has moved from an active stage to a sluggish one.
