Elon Musk’s SpaceX is stepping in to help the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) fix its broken air traffic control system. The move comes after hundreds of FAA personnel were fired by the Trump administration, leaving a void that SpaceX aims to fill.
The FAA layoffs follow three fatal US air disasters in the last month. In an effort to address these issues, President Donald Trump has ordered Transport Secretary Sean Duffy to deliver a new, world-class air traffic control system. SpaceX staff visited the Air Traffic Control System Command Center in Virginia on Monday and will now work with the FAA to overhaul the system.
The FAA’s decision to fire hundreds of personnel has been criticized by lawmakers, who claim that Musk’s team is getting special access. However, Transport Secretary Duffy has denied this, stating that SpaceX staff were invited to visit the command center as part of a regular tour program.
This move is not without controversy, however. The FAA and SpaceX have had a difficult relationship since at least 2023, with the FAA fining SpaceX over $600,000 for violating agency rules. Elon Musk has called on former FAA administrator Michael Whitaker to resign in the past.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/elon-musk-spacex-air-traffic-control-b2700192.html