Financial and Contractual Stakes
threatened to cut government contracts with , which could significantly impact the company's operations and 's wealth, as SpaceX has received at least $38 billion in government contracts, loans, and subsidies.
Despite the feud, SpaceX's critical role in US space missions, including the Dragon spacecraft's use for (ISS) transport and 's lunar missions, underscores the difficulty of severing ties without substantial repercussions.
Spacecraft and Mission Implications
Musk's threat to decommission the Dragon spacecraft, which plays a vital role in ISS operations and is the only US option for crew transport to and from the ISS, raised concerns about the immediate future of US crewed spaceflight capabilities.
The ongoing contention between Musk and Trump highlights the interdependence of SpaceX and US space policy, with both sides needing to reconcile for the continuation of ambitious space exploration plans, including NASA's moon landing missions.