Founded in 2002 by Elon Musk, SpaceX has emerged at the forefront of the technology and space industries. It has one of the highest-grossing companies in the world, breaking records and innovating with top technology.
From the beginning, SpaceX’s vision was unique: they aimed to reduce the cost of space travel and make interplanetary colonization a reality. When SpaceX launched its first Falcon 1 rocket in 2008, it was a bold newcomer in the space industry, aiming to challenge the dominance of government agencies and legacy contractors. With its groundbreaking advancements in reusable rocket technology and private space missions, SpaceX has not only reshaped the global space industry but also transformed the United States’ approach to space exploration.
SpaceX’s most significant achievement was the development of reusable rockets, notably the Falcon 9, made in 2010 and Falcon Heavy, in 2018. Within the 21st century, reusable rockets have increased. The rise in industry privatization led to SpaceX taking the lead in reusable launcher development. While most rockets are unusable after launching, reusable rockets after launching are able to preserve many crucial parts that can be used to incorporate into future rockets. This innovation cut the cost of launching into orbit, making space increasingly accessible to governments, private companies, and emerging economies. Reusability, once considered nothing but a mere far-fetched dream, became a mark of SpaceX’s approach, demonstrating that high-risk, high-reward engineering could upend traditional aerospace norms.
Under Donald Trump’s administration in 2016, SpaceX’s prominence in the American space program soared. The administration’s emphasis on strengthening the commercial space sector aligned with SpaceX’s mission, leading to increased partnerships between the company and NASA. Moreover, the revival of the National Space Council and the directive to return humans to the moon under the Artemis program initiated a shift in policy that leaned heavily on private companies like SpaceX to achieve national goals.
As a result, SpaceX found itself at the center of an unprecedented public-private sector collaboration. From launching satellites to ferrying astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), the company became a symbol of innovation and efficiency.
In 2020, SpaceX made history by launching the first crewed mission aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. This marked the first time a private company transported astronauts to orbit, signifying a monumental shift in the role of private industry in space exploration. The Trump administration heralded this achievement as a victory for American ingenuity and a key step in continuing the United States’ stronghold in space exploration.
SpaceX’s most ambitious project is arguably Starship, a fully reusable spacecraft designed for long-duration missions, including trips to the moon, Mars, and beyond. The Starship system, which consists of two stages — the Super Heavy booster and the Starship spacecraft — is still undergoing development and testing. However, it has already captured the public’s imagination by promising to make space travel not only more affordable but also more sustainable.
Starship’s potential to support Mars colonization sets it apart from other space vehicles. Elon Musk has long spoken of his goal to make humanity a multi-planetary species, and Starship is the key to that vision. While there are still many hurdles to overcome in terms of technical challenges and regulatory approvals, the success of early prototypes, including high-altitude flight tests, has corroborated that SpaceX is moving steadily toward realizing Musk’s dream of a human settlement on Mars. The Starship continues to undergo several testing trials.
Elon Musk and Donald Trump first crossed paths during the early years of the Trump Administration. Musk was one of several prominent business leaders invited to join Trump’s informal advisory council known as the “Strategic and Policy Forum.” The group was intended to provide Trump with advice on how to stimulate economic growth and create jobs. Musk, ever the pragmatist, was vocal about his desire to influence policy on clean energy, climate change, and technology.
However, the relationship between Musk and Trump soon began to show cracks. Musk, known for his contrarian stances, has made headlines with comments that seemingly blur political lines. Although Musk has described himself as a “socially liberal, fiscally conservative” individual, his occasional support for right-wing policies, combined with his disdain for bureaucracy, often put him in an awkward position when navigating the political landscape.
After Trump announced his decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement in June 2017, Musk took a public stance in opposition. In a series of tweets, Musk condemned the decision, saying that it was “wrong” and announcing that he would leave Trump’s advisory council as a result. His departure was emblematic of the growing divergence between the two men on the issues of climate change and environmental policy.
While Musk was outspoken in his disagreement with Trump over climate change, the two men maintained a tenuous relationship through the business realm. Musk’s Tesla was benefiting from policies like electric vehicle incentives, which were in line with the Trump administration’s broader focus on deregulation and tax cuts, even though Trump’s policies on environmental protection ran counter to Musk’s core philosophy. Their interactions were largely professional, often centered on discussions about business interests rather than ideological alignment.
Despite Trump’s well-documented skepticism about government-run programs, including NASA, he was still enthusiastic about SpaceX’s achievements. Throughout his presidency, Trump celebrated private sector achievements in space and praised Musk’s work with SpaceX. At times, Trump even suggested that companies like SpaceX, rather than government agencies, should be the future of America’s space exploration efforts.
Trump’s administration also took steps to prioritize space as a national security concern, establishing the U.S. Space Force in 2019. SpaceX, with its growing presence in the space sector, benefited from these moves. In fact, the Trump administration awarded numerous contracts to SpaceX, including funding for military and satellite launches, which bolstered Musk’s company’s standing within the aerospace industry.
Trump, who often viewed companies like SpaceX as models of efficiency and innovation, praised Musk’s work and frequently referenced it as an example of American excellence. Musk, for his part, was pragmatic enough to recognize that having a working relationship with the White House, especially under a pro-business president, was advantageous for SpaceX’s projects in the future.
While Musk and Trump found common ground on space exploration and the economic benefits of the private sector, their political views and personal statements frequently set them on opposing paths. Musk’s relationship with Trump became more strained when the latter’s rhetoric on issues like immigration and race alienated Musk. Musk, whose companies employ a significant number of immigrants in both technical and manual labor roles, has expressed frustration with the Trump administration’s stance on immigration. In 2018, Musk criticized Trump’s policy of separating immigrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border, signaling that he opposes many of the president’s policies on this front.
Additionally, Musk, like many high-profile business figures, was vocal about the risks of Trump’s “America First” economic policy, which was considered protectionist to global trade. Musk’s companies, especially Tesla and SpaceX, are global in scope, with suppliers and partners in multiple countries. As such, Trump’s trade wars, particularly with China, posed significant risks to the operations of Musk’s companies, despite their mutual focus on technological innovation.
Ever since leaving office in 2021, Trump has continued to maintain a significant presence in American politics, especially now with his return to office in January 2025. Musk’s political views have also evolved, though his recent moves have garnered attention for a different reason: his outspoken support for certain conservative causes. Musk’s controversial acquisition of Twitter (now X) in 2022, followed by his embrace of free speech ideals and open political discourse, has led to him becoming a more central figure in the American political conversation.
SpaceX still has a lot to accomplish, and Musk still has many goals he plans on achieving. Under Trump’s administration, it is clear that SpaceX will be a priority for America. It is unknown what will be achieved and how Musk’s influence may affect America, but as of now, SpaceX continues to be at the forefront of aerospace.
SpaceX still has a lot to accomplish, and Musk still has many goals he plans on achieving. Under Trump’s administration, it is clear that SpaceX will be a priority for America. It is unknown what will be achieved and how Musk’s influence may affect America, but as of now, SpaceX continues to be at the forefront of aerospace.