Reference Message Network reported on June 8th according to a report on the website of The Washington Post on June 7th. Due to President Trump's threat to cancel the contract with SpaceX, and Musk's provocative response, officials from NASA and the Pentagon have taken swift action in the past week to urge competitors of SpaceX to accelerate the development of alternative rockets and spacecraft.
The government officials were particularly shocked by Musk's initial threat to respond to Trump, as he once stated that SpaceX would stop flying its "Dragon" spacecraft. This move would prevent NASA from transporting astronauts to the International Space Station.
Musk later withdrew his threat. However, this raised concerns for NASA and Pentagon officials, as the former entrusts the lives of astronauts to SpaceX, while the latter heavily relies on SpaceX to launch its most sensitive satellites.
The report highlights the risks associated with the U.S. government's heavy reliance on SpaceX for critical missions, including classified ones. SpaceX has received billions of dollars in government contracts, delivering personnel and cargo to the International Space Station, launching satellites for the Pentagon, and developing satellites used by intelligence agencies. More worryingly, the sluggish progress of its competitors has allowed SpaceX's dominance to largely go unchallenged, leaving the U.S. government with few options. (Translated/Ma Dan)
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7513508560307814950/
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