The US space program has become increasingly reliant on private company SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, for critical space operations. This reliance is now at risk due to the escalating feud between SpaceX and President Trump.
The partnership between NASA and SpaceX dates back to the Obama administration, when Lori Garver served as deputy administrator of NASA. During her tenure, Musk’s rocket company was struggling to prove its reliability in sending satellites into orbit. However, SpaceX’s innovative system for soft-landing rocket boosters led to increased launch frequency and reduced costs.
As a result, the Defense Department began to rely more on SpaceX for launch contracts. The company now dominates both the US and global launch markets, launching 83% of all spacecraft worldwide in 2022. SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service is also used by about 50 military commands.
The US would face significant challenges if it were to move away from Starlink, with dozens of launches required to put its network of satellites in orbit. Other companies aim to compete with Starlink for Defense Department business but have found it difficult to catch up.
A lunar-lander version of SpaceX’s Starship is at the center of NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the Moon by 2027. However, the giant rocket has experienced multiple launch and reentry failures, making it unlikely to meet the mission’s deadline.
Despite Trump’s threats to cut SpaceX contracts, the US space agency is unlikely to cancel the Artemis 3 mission due to Musk’s blustering or Starship’s repeated delays. Alternative options, such as NASA modifying its contract with Blue Origin to use their lunar lander, are being considered.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/06/07/nx-s1-5425266/spacex-musk-trump-starlink-starship