We actually don't know the extent to which Musk and Trump are on talking phrases at this level, however definitely Musk is a large Republican donor and there will likely be loads of individuals in Congress who don't need to see one other meals combat between the world's strongest individual, and its richest individual.
The widespread assumption is that Musk is advocating for Isaacman to turn out to be his administrator, since he initially put the astronaut ahead for the place. Nevertheless, the truth is that they don't communicate recurrently, and though Isaacman is deeply appreciative of what SpaceX has achieved, he appears to genuinely need Blue Origin and different non-public house firms to succeed as nicely. Most probably, then, Musk was lashing out in frustration on Tuesday morning, feeling spurned by an area company he has executed rather a lot for.
Isaacman, for his half, has been retaining a comparatively low profile. Trump, who will in the end decide on NASA's management, has additionally largely been silent about all of this.
Not an excellent augury
The confrontation could also be entertaining and a spectacle, however that is fairly dreadful for NASA. The house company is already down 20 p.c of its workforce attributable to cuts and voluntary retirements. Morale stays low, and the uncertainty over long-term management is unhelpful. The primary yr of the Trump presidency, to many in house, looks like a misplaced yr.
There may be additionally the opportunity of a major restructuring. NASA is an unbiased federal company, however my sources (The Wall Road Journal also reported this last night) have indicated that Duffy has sought to maneuver NASA throughout the Division of Transportation. In his new assertion at present, Duffy confirmed this. Folding NASA into the Division of Transportation would permit him to keep up oversight of the company, and Duffy might suggest a pacesetter who's loyal to him.
So that is the place we're. A fierce, behind-the-scenes battle rages on amongst camps supporting Duffy and Isaacman to resolve the management of NASA. The longer this course of drags on, the messier it appears to get. Within the meantime, NASA is twisting within the wind, making an attempt to run in molasses whereas sporting lead footwear as China marches onward, and upward.
