Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

WannabeTraveler87 t1_iv26zh7 wrote

Why are we relying on the "good graces" of a billionaire man-child to provide help? Stop giving the clown attention and, more importantly, tax payer money.

61

Zixinus t1_iv2ogz9 wrote

The USA is relying on SpaceX because every new president kept rewriting NASA's project goals while reducing funding and changing their priorities, therefore severely harming the USA's ability to put stuff up in space on their own.

But Elon tried to do that and despite being government-funded (SpaceX was saved from bankruptcy by government money), so politicians didn't keep telling rocket scientists what they should be doing and Elon kept his mouth shut because if this company fails he'll be in trouble. Thus SpaceX managed to work despite him.

Then Elon got into his head that he's actually a genius rather than a guy employing geniuses and now doesn't understand why advertisers are pulling out of a platform whose moderation staff he is proudly sacking.

39

[deleted] t1_iv4lsbt wrote

There are other private space agencies who were doing it longer, like Bigelow. 2/3 of NASA launches in the 21 century were defense/intelligence related and funded their budget. Space flight is shady AF nowadays.

1

Gb_packers973 t1_iv592dz wrote

Is there any historical evidence of contractors performing work for the u.s govt for free after the contract has expired?

2

WannabeTraveler87 t1_iv5bc1h wrote

Exactly why I said why are we relying on his good graces?? What are you confused bout?

4

nova9001 t1_iv4jvok wrote

>Why are we relying on the "good graces" of a billionaire man-child to provide help? Stop giving the clown attention and, more importantly, tax payer money.

Because he owns SpaceX, that's why.

America could forcefully nationalize SpaceX but I doubt that's going to happen unless Elon is a threat. So far he's not.

0

[deleted] t1_iv4m056 wrote

You post like it’s the only game in town or somehow NASA is dependent on them. He has a sweetheart deal and the public can only speculate how and why. Either way the government is definitely not relying on his good graces. It’s the other way around.

0

nova9001 t1_iv523un wrote

How is NASA involved here? We are not talking about space exploration, its about Starlink satellites.

1

Habsburg77 t1_iv4vqcl wrote

People live under capitalism, why should Elon Musk sponsor the war in Ukraine? There is no reason for him to continue doing this. I'll open your eyes, but most people don't care about Ukraine, it's not their war.

−5

tokinUP t1_iv7rzsi wrote

The world should sponsor the war in Ukraine because Russia should not invade other countries.

The main reason for a narcissistic capitalist like Musk to support Ukraine is that he wants those sweet, sweet US military defense contracts later once SpaceX has Starship up and running to do point-to-point cargo delivery anywhere on Earth.

7

feral_brick t1_iv7zo3p wrote

No one asked him to fund it. Various governments are already funding a lot of it, and according to some sources SpaceX is war profiteering hardcore with the prices they're charging the governments/NGO's

5