SpaceX's Musk threatens to decommission Dragon capsule amid fight with Trump
Share this @internewscast.com

Trump suggested the possibility of cutting government contracts awarded to Musk’s SpaceX company. In response, Musk announced that SpaceX will start decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft.

LOS ANGELES — A social media exchange between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk on Thursday saw the world’s wealthiest individual talking about decommissioning a space capsule vital for transporting astronauts and supplies to the International Space Station.

Following Trump’s threat to potentially halt government contracts for Musk’s SpaceX and his Starlink satellite services, Musk took to X to declare that SpaceX “will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately.”

It’s unclear how serious Musk’s threat was. But the capsule, developed with the help of government contracts, is an important part of keeping the space station running. NASA also relies heavily on SpaceX for other programs including launching science missions and, later this decade, returning astronauts to the surface of the moon.

The Dragon capsule

SpaceX is the only U.S. company capable right now of transporting crews to and from the space station, using its four-person Dragon capsules.

Boeing’s Starliner capsule has flown astronauts only once; last year’s test flight went so badly that the two NASA astronauts had to hitch a ride back to Earth via SpaceX in March, more than nine months after launching last June.

Starliner remains grounded as NASA decides whether to go with another test flight with cargo, rather than a crew.

SpaceX also uses a Dragon capsule for its own privately run missions. The next one of those is due to fly next week on a trip chartered by Axiom Space, a Houston company.

Cargo versions of the Dragon capsule are also used to ferry food and other supplies to the orbiting lab.

NASA’s other option: Russia

Russia’s Soyuz capsules are the only other means of getting crews to the space station right now.

The Soyuz capsules hold three people at a time. For now, each Soyuz launch carries two Russians and one NASA astronaut, and each SpaceX launch has one Russian on board under a barter system. That way, in an emergency requiring a capsule to return, there is always someone from the U.S. and Russian on board.

With its first crew launch for NASA in 2020 — the first orbital flight of a crew by a private company — SpaceX enabled NASA to reduce its reliance on Russia for crew transport. The Russian flights had been costing the U.S. tens of millions of dollars per seat, for years.

NASA has also used Russian spacecraft for cargo, along with U.S. contractor Northrup Grumman.

SpaceX’s other government launches

The company has used its rockets to launch several science missions for NASA as well as military equipment.

Last year, SpaceX also won a NASA contract to help bring the space station out of orbit when it is no longer usable.

SpaceX’s Starship mega rocket is what NASA has picked to get astronauts from lunar orbit to the surface of the moon, at least for the first two landing missions. Starship made its ninth test flight last week from Texas, but tumbled out of control and broke apart.

The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Aerial view of firefighters responding to an incident at a motel at night.

Massive Fire at Massachusetts Care Home Leaves Nine Dead and Many Injured as Residents Plead for Aid

NINE people have been killed and at least 30 more were injured…
Oops: Gavin Newsom's 'Strawberry Farmer' Turns Out to Be a Child Predator

Oops: Gavin Newsom’s ‘Strawberry Farmer’ Exposed as a Child Predator

In truth, a significant number of the illegal alien workers apprehended were…

Wildfire Destroys Historic Lodge at Grand Canyon, Officials Report

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — A historic lodge on the Grand Canyon’s North…
Two rings found on beach and returned thanks to kindness of strangers

Kind Strangers Reunite Two Lost Rings Found on Beach with Their Owners

CAPE MAY, New Jersey — When a woman from South Jersey lost…
Manuel Jose Rosales Yajure identified as Streamwood man who died after found at Centennial Beach: Naperville Police Department

The Naperville Police Department reports that the man who passed away after being found at Centennial Beach has been identified as Manuel Jose Rosales Yajure from Streamwood.

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WLS) — The 27-year-old Streamwood man who died after being…
Francisco Alvarez doing what Mets asked with 'phenomenal' minors stint

Francisco Alvarez Excels in Minor Leagues as Mets Requested

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Francisco Alvarez is excelling in his minor league…
Photo of Beverly Gumm and Christina Combs.

Kentucky Church Shooter’s Shocking Statement Prior to Killing Two During Rampage Targeting His Children’s Mother

HORRIFYING details have been revealed about the Kentucky church shooting that killed…
Trump says 'very close' to securing Israel, Hamas ceasefire, returning hostages

Trump Claims Proximity to Achieving Israel-Hamas Ceasefire and Hostage Return

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have expressed optimism…
German doctor on trial, accused of killing 15 patients

German Doctor on Trial for Allegedly Killing 15 Patients

The physician, previously engaged with a nursing service’s end-of-life care team in…
King Charles III arriving at a lifeboat station.

King Charles to Welcome Donald Trump at Windsor Castle on the Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth’s Funeral

DONALD Trump will be hosted by the King at Windsor Castle on…
3 juveniles charged in Cicero armed robbery after police chases end in Austin, Chicago and Hammond, Indiana, officials say

3 Minors Charged in Cicero Armed Robbery Following Police Pursuits in Austin, Chicago, and Hammond, Indiana, Authorities Report

Three juveniles have been charged in a Cicero armed robbery after two…
Belly dancer arrested in Egypt over Instagram videos deemed 'morally corrupt' by authorities

Egyptian Authorities Arrest Belly Dancer for ‘Inappropriate’ Instagram Videos

An Italian belly dancer of Egyptian descent was arrested in her native…