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To offer a little factual background: * The fact that SpaceX is currently the only US company with an available and reliable capacity to fly astronauts to/from
by mft_ 1y ago
To offer a little factual background:
* The fact that SpaceX is currently the only US company with an available and reliable capacity to fly astronauts to/from the ISS is the main reason for many of the contracts, and they had this before and irrespective of Musk's political engagement.
* For other launch activities unrelated to the ISS, SpaceX offers the most cost-effective service, so again it's not unreasonable that they would win business irrespective.
* Most of SpaceX's active contracts with NASA predate Trump's second term.
- dkjaudyeqooe 1y agoMusk tried to have a close associate installed as the head of NASA. Even if those facts are true there are many, many benefits Musk stood to get. So although the GP comment is a bit silly it's still in the ballpark.
- tayo42 1y agoHow was the US getting to the iss before SpaceX. Seems to concerning to have all of the capabilities tied up with one irrational guy and his toy company
- KerrAvon 1y agoIIRC paying the Russians.
- dboreham 1y agoRussian rockets.
- mft_ 1y agoIt’s that: a) NASA didn’t/doesn’t have the capacity b) The Russians did have the capacity but it was expensive and also painful to American egos to utilise this repeatedly, not to mention a risk due to geopolitical uncertainty. c) NASA therefore funded Boeing and SpaceX to develop ‘home grown’ capability. (Note: SpaceX received less than Boeing for this development.) d) Boeing’s space division lost up a big lead (over SpaceX) through poor development and execution, echoes of which continue to this day with the issues seen with Starliner leading to the two astronauts being effectively ‘stranded’ for a period of e) SpaceX did a good job of developing Dragon and getting Falcon 9 rated for human flight. Since then, their reliability, low cost, and high launch cadence, coupled with Boeing’s missteps, has led to multiple contracts and successful launches. —- It’s also worth mentioning that SoaceX was started when Musk wasn’t so crazy (remember, once upon a time, he was the woke darling of the progressive center-left) and also that a lot of its success and stability may be thanks to its COO, Gwynne Shotwell. Calling it Musk’s “toy company” ignores the huge advances it has made, thanks to the fantastic people that work there, and also (gulp) Musk himself.