To an extent, but depending on how the company is set up it can create a layer of indirection that mitigates outside meddling. So for example in the case of Sp

To an extent, but depending on how the company is set up it can create a layer of indirection that mitigates outside meddling. So for example in the case of SpaceX, a good chunk of their revenue comes from selling their launch services to other companies and selling Starlink, and it's an explicit goal to keep R&D cheap. This lets them start projects even without NASA's interest (as they've done with Starship+Superheavy). If NASA expresses interest somewhere down the line that's great, but the project's going to happen anyway. It's not living or dying by the whims of congressmen. This in turn allows them to have a grander focus that they continue to work towards over the course of decades since they aren't having their direction jerked around constantly.