Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has previously downplayed his association with Jeffrey Epstein but was subpoenaed in 2023 regarding potential referrals to JPMorgan Chase. Newly released documents, including emails from 2012 and 2013, show Musk communicating with Epstein about potential visits to his island and mentioning his then-partner. While Musk has denied ever traveling to Epstein’s island, these emails reveal detailed plans and logistics. Furthermore, the documents indicate Musk forwarded Epstein’s inquiries about SolarCity services to his cousin, who was a SolarCity founder.
Read More
Newly released documents reveal a series of cordial email exchanges between Elon Musk and Jeffrey Epstein in 2012 and 2013, detailing plans for Musk to visit Epstein’s island. Although the visits ultimately did not occur due to logistical challenges, the emails show Musk responding to Epstein’s invitations and discussing party plans. These communications appear to contradict Musk’s previous denials of any ties with Epstein, who was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor. The documents also include a possible lunch invitation at SpaceX and emails following a SpaceX rocket launch, further indicating a connection between the two men.
Read More
Jared Isaacman, the founder and CEO of Shift4, was confirmed as the new head of NASA by the Senate, succeeding interim administrator Sean Duffy. The appointment comes at a crucial time for the space agency, facing budget uncertainties and strategic priorities, particularly concerning the Artemis program and the growing space race with China. Isaacman’s priorities, as outlined in the leaked Project Athena document, include a focus on Mars missions and commercialization. During the confirmation process, Isaacman addressed questions regarding his associations with Elon Musk and SpaceX, emphasizing the necessity of that relationship.
Read More
Cosmonaut Oleg Artemyev has been replaced by Andrey Fedyaev on SpaceX’s Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station, due to allegations of photographing confidential SpaceX materials in California, potentially violating US export control rules. Artemyev reportedly took pictures of SpaceX engines and internal materials on his phone and removed them from the site, leading to his removal from training. Roscosmos officially cited a job transfer as the reason for the change, while the Crew-12 mission, using a Crew Dragon spacecraft, is scheduled for launch on February 15, 2026. SpaceX and NASA have not commented publicly on the reported investigation, which carries significant legal and diplomatic implications.
Read More
SpaceX and Cards Against Humanity reached a settlement in a lawsuit concerning land owned by the party game company in Texas. The lawsuit alleged that SpaceX trespassed on the property by placing construction materials and debris there without permission. While the terms of the settlement remain undisclosed, Cards Against Humanity confirmed that SpaceX admitted to trespassing and has since removed its equipment. The company had hoped to use settlement funds to pay back donors who contributed to the land purchase.
Read More
Newly unsealed testimony from a SpaceX insider reveals that the company has accepted direct investments from Chinese investors, marking the first disclosure of such investments in the U.S. military contractor. This revelation raises significant national security concerns, as the U.S. government views Chinese investment in sensitive industries as a potential espionage risk. While the scope and identities of these Chinese investors remain undisclosed, experts suggest that if Chinese investors gained access to nonpublic information, it could pose substantial national security consequences. This information came to light through court records related to a legal dispute between SpaceX investors, which ProPublica successfully moved to make public.
Read More
An Australian pilot died after his plane crashed in Brazil, reportedly carrying around 200kg of cocaine disguised in fake SpaceX packaging. The plane, which was registered to Zambia, crashed in a sugarcane field, scattering debris and drugs. Authorities are investigating the international drug trafficking, seeking to determine the origin and destination of the flight, as well as identifying the owner of the illicit material. This seizure of cocaine adds to the already high amounts seized by the Federal Police in 2024.
Read More
A Victorian man has been identified as the pilot in a fatal plane crash in Brazil. The single-engine plane crashed in a sugarcane field on September 14th, reportedly carrying approximately 180kg of cocaine. Photos from the scene depict packages bearing SpaceX branding, and the plane was registered in Zambia. A Victorian driver’s license belonging to a 46-year-old from eastern Melbourne was recovered from the wreckage, according to local reports.
Read More
A recent report by the U.S. Office of Inspector General reveals that nearly half of the Starlink terminals supplied to Ukraine, primarily by USAID and SpaceX, ended up in Russian-occupied territories, raising concerns about potential misuse. The report highlights that USAID failed to implement adequate safeguards for the distributed terminals, which were essential for restoring internet access and power during the conflict. The lack of tracking and usage restrictions, coupled with the omission of military-use prohibitions in the transfer agreements, increased the risk of the terminals being used for military or intelligence operations. USAID has agreed to work with Ukrainian authorities and SpaceX to address the issue, but only for the terminals it directly financed, despite the larger number provided by various international partners.
Read More
NASA is experiencing a significant workforce reduction, with nearly 4,000 employees opting to leave the agency through a deferred resignation program, representing an estimated 20% of its workforce. These departures stem from the Trump administration’s plan to decrease the federal workforce, aligning with recommendations from the Department of Government Efficiency. While the administration has proposed budget cuts for NASA, potentially impacting the agency, the agency has also received additional funding through 2032 for Mars missions and lunar plans. This has led to criticism and letters of dissent from scientists, space organizations, and current and former NASA employees.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker