[−]throwaway2037 · 2026-11-15 Sun 03:45 UTC ·
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From SpaceX Wiki page[1]:
> The first three launches of the rocket, between 2006 and 2008, all resulted in failures, which almost ended the company. Financing for Tesla Motors had failed, as well, and consequently Tesla, SolarCity, and Musk personally were all nearly bankrupt at the same time.
> The financial situation started to turn around with the first successful launch achieved on the fourth attempt on September 28, 2008. Musk split his remaining $30 million between SpaceX and Tesla, and NASA awarded SpaceX a $1.6 billion Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) contract in December, thus financially saving the company.
Yeah, bad gov't (NASA). Get out of the way for private industry. Or, wait, help us when we are desperate and nearly bankrupt. Which one? The correct answer is "both, in harmony".
I feel like I’m not reading the same passage of text. NASA didn’t give SpaceX anything. They were a customer, paying the best company for the best service. That’s how free markets work.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX