Tech

Trump administration struggles with SpaceX contract dependencies

Trump administration’s review shows SpaceX contracts vital for NASA and Defence, complicating potential break with Musk’s businesses

Published

7 months ago

July 20, 2025

Ahron Young

Trump administration’s review shows SpaceX contracts vital for NASA and Defence, complicating potential break with Musk’s businesses

In Short:
– Trump aimed to cut ties with Musk, prompting a review of SpaceX’s essential government contracts.
– SpaceX, crucial for U.S. space efforts, secured a $5.9 billion Pentagon deal amid competitor frustrations.

President Trump expressed intentions to sever ties with Elon Musk’s companies in early June, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Subsequently, the Trump administration reviewed SpaceX’s government contracts, aiming to identify potential waste in its multibillion-dollar agreements.

However, officials concluded that most contracts were essential for the Defense Department and NASA, highlighting SpaceX’s dominance as a leading rocket launcher.

With over $20 billion in federal contracts, SpaceX’s technology is critical for U.S. space ambitions. Tensions arose after Musk criticised Trump’s tax legislation, prompting Trump to suggest terminating Musk’s government contracts.

SpaceX Contracts

The review revealed the government’s reliance on SpaceX for rocket launches and satellite services, a situation that frustrates competitors.

SpaceX continues to win contracts, securing a significant Pentagon deal in April valued at $5.9 billion, along with essential NASA missions.

Despite Musk’s recent threats regarding the Crew Dragon spacecraft, the company remains pivotal for U.S. space operations and provides services through its Starlink satellite network.

Tech

Ariane 64 takes flight carrying Amazon’s broadband satellites

Ariane 64’s maiden launch from French Guiana carries 32 Amazon satellites, starting 18 missions to enhance global broadband access.

Published

1 day ago

February 11, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Ariane 64’s maiden launch from French Guiana carries 32 Amazon satellites, starting 18 missions to enhance global broadband access.

Europe is entering a new spaceflight era as the Ariane 64 prepares for its maiden launch from French Guiana. The rocket, the most powerful ever developed in Europe, features four boosters and is capable of delivering more than 20 tonnes into low Earth orbit.

The launch window opens at 4:45 p.m. UTC and closes at 5:13 p.m. UTC, with the mission expected to last one hour and 54 minutes. During the flight, satellites will be deployed in pairs, marking a critical technical milestone for Europe’s space ambitions.

This first flight is a major test for the Ariane 6 program, setting the tone for future commercial and institutional launches from Europe’s space sector.

#SpaceLaunch #Ariane6 #AmazonSatellites #LEO #SpaceTech #BroadbandFromSpace #RocketScience #TickerNews

Tech

SpaceX shifts focus to Moon with ambitious Lunar City plans

Elon Musk shifts SpaceX focus from Mars to a 2027 Moon landing, merging with xAI for AI satellite networks.

Published

2 days ago

February 10, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Elon Musk shifts SpaceX focus from Mars to a 2027 Moon landing, merging with xAI for AI satellite networks.

Elon Musk has set his sights closer to home—literally. SpaceX is now prioritizing the creation of a self-sustaining city on the Moon within the next decade. The ambitious plan marks a major shift from previous Mars-focused strategies, aiming for an uncrewed Starship landing as early as 2027 to support NASA’s Artemis program.

This pivot comes as SpaceX merges with Musk’s xAI, combining the companies into a massive $1.25 trillion valuation. Musk believes the Moon offers practical advantages for launches, making it a more strategic stepping stone for humanity’s future in space.

Alongside lunar ambitions, SpaceX is also developing satellite networks to back AI technologies in orbit. Despite the excitement, NASA’s Artemis program has faced delays, pushing the first crewed lunar flight to March due to technical issues.

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Tech

Claude AI is transforming software engineering and productivity

Anthropic’s Claude AI now manages coding tasks, boosting productivity by 50% as engineers shift to oversight roles.

Published

3 days ago

February 9, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Anthropic’s Claude AI now manages coding tasks, boosting productivity by 50% as engineers shift to oversight roles.

Anthropic has confirmed that its AI, Claude, now handles almost all coding tasks at the company. Engineers are shifting from writing code to oversight and planning, marking a major change in how software development teams operate.

Users report a productivity boost of 50 percent since implementing Claude, highlighting the potential of AI to reshape workflows and day-to-day operations. The shift raises questions about the balance between human oversight and automated code generation.

The move has also affected markets, with shares of Indian IT services companies falling as investors assess the impact on traditional tech roles. Industry leaders stress that while AI can generate code, human input remains crucial for design, review, and strategic decision-making.

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