Fresh Air Has NASA Ceded Its Mission To Elon Musk?
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Jul 30, 2025 Franklin Foer, a staff writer for The Atlantic and author of 'The Last Politician,' dives into the shifting dynamics of American space exploration. He discusses how SpaceX, under Elon Musk, is reshaping NASA's mission and workforce, stirring concerns about the agency's future. Foer highlights the emotional toll of budget cuts on NASA's employees and explores Musk's pivotal role in national security through government contracts. The conversation offers a fascinating juxtaposition of Cold War-era space initiatives with today's commercial space race.
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NASA's Lost Idealism
- NASA inspired idealism and attracted top talent who accepted lower salaries for its mission.
- Budget cuts and mission downsizing have caused many employees to leave, signaling a loss of that idealism.
Government to Contractors to Musk
- United States shifted from government-led space achievements to relying on defense contractors.
- The government later embraced Elon Musk's startup model for faster, cheaper space transport.
Musk's Rocket Origin Story
- Elon Musk tried buying rockets in Russia but was ripped off at a drunken dinner.
- He then founded SpaceX to build rockets himself, pioneering reusable rockets and embracing risk.
