Elon Musk’s influence over US space policy could significantly impact Canada’s space program. A reported $277-million investment in Donald Trump’s election campaign has given Musk enormous sway in shaping NASA’s policies.
Musk’s privately-held company, SpaceX, is set to receive a substantial portion of NASA’s annual budget, with estimates suggesting that up to half of the US$25-billion NASA budget could be redirected to SpaceX.
Canada’s space program would suffer severe consequences if this happens. The country has already invested in several projects, including the Lunar Gateway and Canadarm3 for SLS missions.
However, under a new plan, NASA may cancel its expensive Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and instead rely on SpaceX’s Starship. This could result in two Canadian astronaut flights being lost, as well as the cancellation of purpose-built lunar rovers and Canadarm3 projects.
The decision to prioritize SpaceX over SLS is likely driven by a desire to demonstrate US dominance over China in space exploration. For Musk, the focus will shift to establishing a human presence on Mars.
A trade war between the US and Canada could further threaten Canada’s space industry. The country’s largest space company, MDA, has struggled with US regulations in the past, and its future in the market hangs in the balance.
Source: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-is-canada-lost-in-space