The alliance between Donald Trump and Elon Musk – speaking the jargon from space flights – succumbed to “fast, unplanned dismantling.” However, among all the conflict -related conflict, one area of space seems to have a bright future: Mission to the Moon.
Musk, the founder of SpaceX and the well -known enthusiast of Mars, was against the return of astronauts to the surface of the moon. However, the unexpected cancellation of the nomination of Musk's favorite for the position of the head of NASA and the loud break of Musk with the president gave supporters of the Moon in Congress and the space industry New Opening, which they already use.
Musk is growing lunar competition
“Elon was the main reason for the extension of NASA plans regarding the exploration of the cosmos by people,” says Clayton Swope, former adviser to the Congress for Space. – With his departure from Washington exists A good chance that NASA will focus on the moon again As planned: Moon and then Mars.
Continuation of the material under the video
Many large space companies – although not SpaceX – begin an advertising campaign on the mission to the moon, as reveals two representatives of the industry, to whom we admitted anonymity so that they can discuss these efforts. This move is the first sign of the real one opposition to the gigantic space company and its founderwhich a few days ago seemed to block government contracts with each movement.
Television advertising financed by these companies, but not under the common name, will appear on television on the coming days with a message clearly addressed to Trump. The narrator, against the background of pathetic materials from the American Apollo missions, appeals to voters to call senators to support the lunar mission and “maintain America first in space.”
A separate letter addressed to the Senate Trade Commission, which Politico reached, is in favor of lunar investments and is signed by many known space companies – but not SpaceX.
Make it in front of the China
On Thursday evening, when the dispute between Trump and Musk intensified, the Senate Trade Commission presented a new bill that would donate NASA $ 10 billion. [ok. 38 mld zł]. A significant part of them will be allocated to the efforts of a space agency to return to the moon under the Artemis program. The NASA budget planned in the White House proposed significant cuts in the Artemis program, including the cutting of the planned lunar space station and lunar missions.
– Anyone who follows the space will notice how much [komisja] She is involved in Return to the moon, especially Before the Chinese arrive there – says a commission employee, whom we admitted anonymity to discuss the act.
All this happens in the face of the public fall of Musk. Trump, during a clash in social media with his former confidant, threatened to cancel Musk's contracts with the government. The founder of Spacex replied, saying that he would end the contract for the Dragon space ship, which is the only reliable manner of the USA to access the international space station. However, on Thursday evening he hinted that he could not do it, and Trump underestimated the dispute in an interview with Politico.
Archie Carpenter / UPI Photo via Newscom / PAP
Donald Trump and Elon Musk (in the “Occupy Mars” T -shirt) at the election rally at the Bulter Farm Show in Pennsylvania, October 5, 2024.
Last week, the president rapidly withdrew the nomination at NASA administrator for Musk's ally, Jared Isaacman, just a few days before her likely approval by the Senate. Isaacman, speaking in the podcast this week, associated his removal with the provocative departure of Musk from the White House. “I don't think time is accidental,” he said.
All this means that Congress can now have a stronger hand in negotiations with the White House in the case NASA budget, which was written before breaking Musk with Trump and strongly favors Mars.
The administration budget proposes significant cuts of expenditure on the moon for almost $ 1 billion. [ok. 3,8 mld zł] for landing of astronauts on Mars. Spacex, thanks to the provisions in the Act, He had a chance to get a lucrative contract for the construction of a landing system for each mission on a red planet. Now it seems much less feasible.
Senators from the states with large NASA centers – such as Alabama and Louisiana – are particularly interested in financing the moon. Trump previously supported the mission on Mars, which means that This plan may not disappear completely. However, with Musk's implosion and the latest lunar impulse, the prospect of returning to the moon surface is more real than a week ago.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
