Суперечка, що стосується американської космічної програми та компанії Маска, which closely cooperate financially, entered the public domain after that, as the entrepreneur responded on the X social network (formerly Twitter) upon notice of that, that Duffy allegedly seeks to subordinate NASA to the US Department of Transportation. Duffy himself currently heads this very ministry.
Musk sharply criticized the idea in his post, noting, that “man, responsible for the American space program, cannot have a double-digit IQ".
On the eve, speaking on the Fox program & Friends on Fox News, Duffy stated, that the development of SpaceX's super-heavy Starship rocket is behind schedule as part of the Artemis mission, which is supposed to return men to the moon and at the same time competes with China's lunar program. In this regard, he informed, that NASA plans to open the competition and allow other companies to participate, except for SpaceX, which received a contract for a lunar mission back in 2021 year.
A NASA spokeswoman explained, that Duffy is focused on the ultimate goal of outpacing China in returning men to the moon. She also added, that although the official assumed, that the agency could benefit from, becoming part of the government cabinet, in particular in the structure of the Ministry of Transport, he has never announced his intention to keep the position of head of NASA.
Musk and SpaceX did not respond to journalists' inquiries.
Duffy later responded to Musk's words in an X post, noting, that "the race for the moon has begun" and that he "appreciates passion". He also added, що великі компанії не повинні боятися конкуренції, натякаючи на відкритість NASA до нових учасників у космічній гонці.
Source: https://www.reuters.com