Trump-Musk feud sparks biggest crisis: Is NASA’s future in jeopardy?

The escalating feud between former President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has sparked what experts call the "biggest crisis ever to face the US space programme". Trump’s threats to cancel SpaceX’s federal contracts jeopardize NASA’s dependence on the company, which currently operates the only reliable spacecraft, Crew Dragon, to ferry astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS).

SpaceX, founded in 2006, has grown into the largest private space corporation, holding approximately $22 billion in government contracts across various agencies. It plays a critical role in NASA’s Artemis program, aimed at returning humans to the Moon for extended missions. Experts warn that any disruption could delay Artemis and impact ISS operations, potentially forcing the U.S. to rely again on Russian Soyuz spacecraft.

Scott Hubbard, former director of NASA's Ames Research Center, emphasized, "There is no alternative to the F9-Dragon combination at present." Benjamin L. Schmitt, senior fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, called SpaceX’s 2020 crewed missions a "major breakthrough for U.S. independence from Russia's Soyuz spacecraft."

Following Musk’s threat to halt Dragon flights, NASA and the Pentagon have begun exploring other commercial providers like Rocket Lab and Blue Origin, highlighting the vulnerability of relying on a single company. The dispute also coincides with NASA’s budget request to Congress, which includes deep cuts to science projects and Earth observation programs, further compounding uncertainty.

Dr. Simeon Barber of the Open University noted the "chilling impact" of this uncertainty on human spaceflight, while Casey Dreier of the Planetary Society warned the crisis could reshape the future of U.S. space exploration.

This public spat underscores the risks of entrusting critical national security and space infrastructure to private entities capable of unilateral decisions, raising urgent questions about the sustainability of America’s space ambitions.

A public feud between Donald Trump and Elon Musk threatens NASA's reliance on SpaceX, the sole provider of astronaut transport to the ISS. With $22 billion in government contracts at risk, NASA's Artemis lunar program and broader space missions face potential delays and budget cuts, raising national security concerns.