this post was submitted on 19 Jun 2025
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Well, at least it was a private company rocket ship and not my tax dollars.... Right?
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/musk-government-contracts-spacex-tesla-taxes-b2703141.html
In total, $20.7 billion pleged/paid to SpaceX since 2008, $8.7 billion actually paid as of a few months ago, $3.4 awarded/pledged in just 2024.
Its funny, I remember being raised conservative and being taught that no one spends money as wisely as someone spending their own money.
Welp, thats out the fucking window for all subcontractors, as well as... just give poor/homeless/rent overburdened people money, and they'll help themselves far more efficiently than a giant bureacracy will.
I mean, yes. The advantage of fixed priced contracts over traditional cost plus contracts is that instead of Boeing twiddling their thumbs for three years wasting time trying to figure out why their original design is shit and having the government pay for it, space x is just out a rocket. Government gives 0 shits. I wonder if there penalties built in if it’s behind schedule
With a functioning federal government I would agree with you. But unfortunately they have an open checkbook right now, with no accountability or critical oversight.
I hate to be this guy, but this is just... not true. That's not how this works at all. How is the government giving SpaceX money outside of a contract? They aren't.
Everyone wants to find a reason to hate SpaceX because Musk, but the truth is SpaceX is a well-ran innovative company.
Then don't be. I'm not sure why you feel the need to glaze the world's richest political agent, unless...
Are you a SpaceX employee? You've said this in the past.
SpaceX ≠ Elon Musk
"Well-run" implies that of the people running it, i.e. CEO Elon Musk. A quick search on Glassdoor reveals "CEO approval."
I don't expect you to speak negatively about the person who signs your paychecks, especially because he's so obsessed with censoring social media, but when you praise vague "good leadership" and leave it at that, it does make a rational person skeptical.
Please read a bit about Gwynne Shotwell. She's amazing and runs the company very competently.
I'm way more interested on your opinions of CEO (and Chair and CTO) Elon Musk, especially because you'd apparently rather talk about anybody but him.
You're looking for a "gotcha" but my whole point is that people are judging SpaceX entirely on Elon being involved, rather than it's actual merits.
My opinion shouldn't matter here.
Besides the federal government trying to strong arm governments into purchasing star link?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/05/07/elon-musk-starlink-trump-tariffs/
their rocket just blew up
This is not evidence to the contrary, especially when the company is intentionally trying to find the limits on a development article.
Falcon 9 (the only rocket they actually sell launches on) is one of the most reliable launch vehicles in the world.
I mean you’re right in a sense, but usually when I iterate on a design it gets better not worse.
I think it's not fair to say that iteration doesn't ever include any steps back. Development isn't always straightforward and it doesn't always go perfectly.
Well, I did say usually. Regressions happen. I’m just being sarcastic because I don’t like Nazi-owned enterprises. /me shrugs
besides the whole rocket blowing up thing?
https://enginepatrol.com/two-gr-corollas-caught-fire-toyota-refuses-to-honor-the-warranties/
Here are two Toyota vehicles randomly bursting into flames. Toyota makes shitty cars (ranked 3rd most reliable by consumerreports.org, btw). https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner-satisfaction/who-makes-the-most-reliable-cars-a7824554938/
It's a good thing those cars had working doors
repeating the same thing does not make your point stronger
Their unmanned test rocket just blew up. Boo hoo