US President Donald Trump has threatened to cancel government contracts with SpaceX, citing the company’s influence on US national security and NASA. The move could leave the US reliant on Russia for space launches and access, experts warn.
SpaceX has received over $13 billion in NASA contracts since 2015, making it one of the agency’s largest private partners. The company is deeply integrated into US national security and the space program, with critics saying its influence poses a significant risk to the industry.
If the contracts are terminated, NASA would have to rely on Russia for access to the International Space Station (ISS), according to experts. SpaceX plays a key role in providing crew launch services to the ISS through its Crew Dragon capsule.
The company’s dominance in the space industry has raised concerns among experts, with some warning that it could leave a significant gap if the contracts were canceled. While Trump’s threats may not be realized, the impact on US national security interests could be significant.
The feud between Trump and Elon Musk has escalated over issues related to a spending bill and allegations involving Trump’s son-in-law. Tensions between Washington and Moscow remain high, making it difficult for the US to negotiate a contract with Russia to launch astronauts to the ISS.
As the situation continues to unfold, experts say that SpaceX remains dominant in the industry, with its monopoly on key services posing a significant challenge to the development of new players. The US reliance on SpaceX is not driven by favoritism but necessity and efficiency, according to one expert.
Source: https://www.newsweek.com/trump-canceling-musks-spacex-contracts-could-force-us-closer-russia-2082187