https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-startship-dod-control/ SpaceX gets request from DOD to take over Starship By Maria Merano Posted on January 31, 2024 The Department of Defense (DOD/Pentagon) approached SpaceX about taking over Starship for sensitive and dangerous missions. The Pentagon seeks a government-owned, government-operated asset for critical missions. SpaceX’s senior adviser, Gary Henry, briefly discussed the DOD’s request during the Space Mobility Conference on January 30, 2024. Henry shared that SpaceX is exploring its options in responding to the Pentagon’s request, reported the Aviation Week Network. SpaceX and the United States military already work closely with each other. In 2020, SpaceX won a $149 million contract to build satellites to track missile launches for the DOD. SpaceX also has a contract to develop the Department of the Air Force’s Rocket Cargo mission. The U.S. military has tested SpaceX’s Starlink internet service in the Arctic for 9 months. In September 2023, Starlink’s Starshield internet service—built to support national security—won a contract with the U.S. Space Force. Henry stated that the DOD’s request to take over Starship for specific missions differs from its past deals with SpaceX. “We have had conversations … and it really came down to specific missions, where it’s a very specific and sometimes elevated risk or maybe a dangerous use case for the DOD where they’re asking themselves: Do we need to own it as a particular asset … SpaceX, can you accommodate that?” Henry stated. The Pentagon’s request would put Starship in its control for specific missions. Once a mission is complete, the DOD will return Starship to SpaceX. “If we can buy the commercial service, that’s what we’re going to do, but there might be some use cases where there needs to be a government-owned, government-operated [vehicle], and that transfer can happen on the fly,” said Col. Eric Felt, the Director of Space Architecture for the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition. Copyright © TESLARATI. All rights reserved.
Next thing you know, we'll be asking him to not turn off communications or surveillance in a conflict zone to aid an ally. oh wait.... Privatizing DOD spending's done wonders in saving us money
The US government is preventing Chinese companies https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/In...-59-banned-Chinese-defense-and-tech-companies from doing business in the US because it says it is connected to the Chinese military. In a tit for tat, Space X is on the list of banned companies doing business with China? Imagine if China had the same influence on other nations as the US does to shut Space X (and Boeing, and...) from doing business elsewhere.
I don't, believe me I'm not a deep state person at all, just showing the hypocrisy of our anti China spin in light of this article.
Not sure I follow. You're quoting 3 yr old news triggered by rising Taiwan tensions in an effort to onshore some of that tech. SpaceX would be barred by the US more than likely due to ITAR so China wouldn't even get a chance.
I'm quoting an article than just came out having to do with the Dept of Defense wanting to take over some of Space X flights. Not 3 year old news, not Taiwan... Wtf.
The link in that post is a validation link for what I said in the previous sentence and not related to the general post. Get with it.