Tensions rise as Musk threatens to pull Dragon capsule after Trump criticism

Developed with NASA’s support, SpaceX’s Dragon is currently the sole American spacecraft regularly ferrying astronauts and supplies to the ISS, while Boeing’s Starliner faces ongoing setbacks and remains grounded after a failed test earlier this year

A public spat between US President Donald Trump and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk escalated this week, with Musk threatening to halt operations of SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft—a vital component of the International Space Station (ISS) program.

The conflict began after Trump criticized the scale of government contracts awarded to Musk’s companies, including SpaceX and Starlink, his satellite-based internet venture. In response, Musk posted on social media platform X, stating that SpaceX would "begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately." While it remains uncertain how serious Musk’s statement was, the Dragon capsule is a cornerstone of US space transport capabilities.

Developed with NASA’s support, Dragon is currently the only American spacecraft routinely transporting astronauts and supplies to and from the ISS. Boeing’s Starliner, a potential alternative, has faced repeated setbacks, including a failed test that left two astronauts reliant on SpaceX for their return earlier this year. Starliner remains grounded as NASA reviews its performance.

Dragon is not only used for crewed NASA missions but also supports private missions and cargo resupply under various contracts. An upcoming privately funded mission is scheduled through Axiom Space, utilizing Dragon technology.

Dragon capsule key for NASA

Beyond the US, only Russia’s Soyuz spacecraft provides manned transport to the ISS. Soyuz capsules are limited to three passengers and follow a joint agreement allowing mixed crews on both US and Russian launches. However, with Dragon’s success since 2020, reliance on Soyuz has decreased, saving the US significant costs per seat.

The possibility of decommissioning the Dragon capsule would significantly impact NASA’s operational planning. In addition to ISS missions, the capsule plays a key role in upcoming lunar expeditions under the Artemis program, where SpaceX has also been contracted to deliver astronauts to the Moon’s surface using its Starship system.

SpaceX continues to lead in various aerospace initiatives, from launching scientific missions to handling national security payloads. It is also tasked with deorbiting the ISS once its operational life concludes.

Though Musk’s remarks may be rhetorical, they highlight the fragile relationship between private aerospace providers and government partners. With critical infrastructure at stake, any disruption in SpaceX’s contributions could ripple across U.S. space policy and mission timelines.