On July 13, 2024, Elon Musk officially endorsed Donald Trump for president of the United States, soon after he overcame an assassination attempt.
Musk, a tycoon technologies entrepreneur, has made pioneering contributions in many industries, mainly space travel and exploration.
Trump officially was thinking about giving the tycoon an advisory role if he were to win a second term perhaps before Musk’s endorsement. With Musk’s economic and public support, it now seems more likely that Trump will appoint him to a top official position within his administration.
I’m interested in how Musk may affect US area plan if Trump wins in November as someone who studies area and international relationships. Their relationship may have a significant impact on the direction of US place investigation and security, as well as alter the balance of power between the public and private businesses.
Current US storage plan
The priorities and goals of a country’s place policy are reflected in their space policy. Important documents, such as the US National Space Policy, the US Space Priorities Framework, the US Space Policy Directives, and another official magazines, include a mix of consistency from previous services and new commands.
Recent place policy emphasizes maintaining U.S. leadership in place, protecting U.S. place assets, and working with international and domestic partners to promote safe, secure, and responsible habits in space. The National commercial space industry expanding, and sending more astronauts to the Moon are its main goals.
Musk’s business SpaceX has been instrumental in advancing these targets, supporting both NASA and the U. S. Space Force – the newest unit of the U. S. defense – in their operations. SpaceX’s improvements, such as the reusable Falcon 9 missiles, the Starlink satellite internet and the strong Starship, have significantly transformed access to and use of inner room.
The 2016-2020 Trump presidency advanced many of the latest U. S. place policy goals, some of which closely align with Musk’s personal ambitions for storage.
Space interaction: Trump’s and Musk’s shared interests
Trump and Musk come to terms with three of their primary space goals. Second, both are committed to animal growth beyond Earth. The US set out on a mission to Mars and beyond as a result of Trump’s Space Policy Directive 1, which was signed on December 11, 2017.
This law coincides with Musk’s desire to settle on Mars, which is directing the creation of Starship, the largest and most powerful aircraft actually constructed. Big payloads and able of deep space travel, including solar landings and journeys to the dark planet, are planned for the Starship, which is designed to be completely recyclable.
NASA’s Artemis programme, which originated from Trump’s Space Policy Directive 1, plans to return mankind to the Moon by 2026. In order to accomplish this objective, NASA and SpaceX collaborated on the development of the Starship Human Landing System aircraft in 2021 to carry astronauts and goods from moon’s orbit to the surface of the Moon and back.
Next, both Trump and Musk assistance corporate involvement in space. Trump’s Space Policy Directive 1 particularly calls for business and international collaborations, marking a transition from the earlier management. Joe Biden has continued to push for the establishment of a solid business U.S. space industry.
This acknowledgment of the crucial role that private companies you play in space exploration is in line with Musk’s track record as an entrepreneur and entrepreneur. Under Musk, SpaceX has not only provided NASA with essential services, but it has also pushed technology to new levels. The organization has tremendously reduced the cost of space exploration and made it more accessible to a wider group of storage enthusiasts.
Fourth, both favor restructuring. Through directives like Trump’s Space Policy Directive 2, which aimed to optimize business area regulations and promote faster growth and innovation in the private room sector, Trump’s administration attempted to lower regulatory burdens.
Even so, Musk has often found existing space regulations too restrictive. He has frequently called for” comprehensive deregulation” and has frequently challenged US regulators, including the Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates launch and reentry requirements.
Contrasting space visions: Musk vs. Trump
In terms of space priorities, Musk differs from Trump in three main aspects.
First, Musk is focused on the long-term goal of making humanity a multi-planetary species, starting with colonizing Mars and establishing a self-sustaining human presence there.
In contrast, Trump’s approach to space emphasized asserting US leadership by achieving near-Earth and near-term milestones, like returning Americans to the Moon. Consequently, during his presidency, Trump prioritized the Artemis program and launched the Space Force to safeguard US capabilities in space.
Second, while both value the private sector, Musk, through SpaceX, has pushed for cost reduction, innovation and rapid iteration in space technology. SpaceX’s Falcon rockets have reflown some 300 times, significantly cutting spaceflight costs. Additionally, SpaceX made significant advancements in commercial spaceflight, including becoming the first private company to fly astronauts to the International Space Station.
In contrast, to fund the Artemis program, Trump called for a significant increase in NASA’s budget. This move emphasized investing in government-led programs to achieve space objectives.
Third, Musk appears more open to sharing patented information, even with his competitors. He made a famous claim that patents “are for the weak,” arguing that they stifle progress and inhibit innovation. While Musk continues to patent inventions, including those related to SpaceX, he has also expressed support for fostering innovation through openness and collaboration.
In contrast, Trump’s space policy focused on national security and strategic competition. Trump’s decision to establish the Space Force reflected his view of space as a contested, military domain where the United States must protect its assets and maintain a competitive advantage.
Musk’s likely impact on future US space policy
If Musk were to take on a larger, formal role in a second Trump administration, he would likely push for ambitious space missions and timelines. Initial attention would be put on the Artemis program and lunar settlements, with more attention eventually shifting to human missions to Mars and beyond.
A partnership between Trump and Musk would likely help the space industry expand. Musky might advocate for more space-related deregulation, which might challenge existing safety and security standards. While Musk is also likely to push for cost reduction, innovation and efficiency, it would be interesting to see how his efforts would fare against government bureaucracy.
Whether Musk’s impact on US space policy on Chinese competitors abroad is unknown. Musk’s inclusion in a second Trump administration may, however, provide some insight into whether international space actors can reduce conflict between different countries.
Musk is not a politician. He has a visionary and creative mind that is focused on humanity’s future. Additionally, these traits are most likely to influence his impact on US space policy.
Svetla Ben-Itzhak is Assistant Professor of Space and International Relations, Johns Hopkins University
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