The still-experimental stainless steel rocket of SpaceX, the Starship, is now under consideration by the US government for its use on the military's upcoming "dangerous" missions. However, it would be used by the US military entirely, with the mission fully controlled by the agency for its future ventures, with the government taking the helm of the company from start to finish.
For the longest time, SpaceX operated as a private company contracted by different clients, including US government agencies, for flights to orbit, like with NASA's Commercial Crew program.
SpaceX's Starship for US Military's Dangerous, Sensitive Missions
A report by Aviation Week claims that the US Department of Defense (DOD) talked to SpaceX regarding their interest in using the Starship for future missions, but this will be under the control of the government. This latest talk centers on the DOD's plans to own a Starship vehicle for future "sensitive and potentially dangerous missions," but as yet, these plans remain unspecified.
The DOD and SpaceX are known for being partners on several launch missions in the past, but it was under the control of the private space agency Elon Musk.
It was reported that Gary Henry, Senior Advisor for National Security Space Solutions at SpaceX, was already talking about mission specifics for this Starship use.
US Government to Take Full Control of SpaceX's Starship
It was noted by Space.com that this would be under full control by the US government and the Pentagon, carrying out the US military's future missions once the Starship is geared up and ready.
Moreover, it was regarded by Henry that it is considering this full control of the spacecraft asset if it is necessary to own the rocket for the said missions.
SpaceX Starship and its Future Missions
The end goal of the Starship development is to reach Mars, and not only that, but also to bring humans to the neighboring planet and build a civilization that would make people transplanetary. Elon Musk's goal is to build as many as 1,000 units of the Starship rocket for this venture, and some of the spacecraft's parts may be used to create the structures for the Mars colony.
However, the spacecraft is not yet ready to take on these missions as it has yet to prove itself successful on its test launches.
That being said, part of SpaceX's goal is to have the Starship venture to the Moon as part of its tests, offering a commercial experience where tickets are sold to billionaires like Dennis Tito for the experience.
Starship is a promising spacecraft as it promises a wide reusability that would last several missions for various ventures, lowering manufacturing and operational costs for the company and its clients. The US government is now considering the Starship to be its vessel for the future, one that would fulfill the military's sensitive and dangerous missions without SpaceX commandeering the ship.
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