SpaceX Says It Would Likely Launch Military Weapons If Asked

Yesterday, SpaceX announced its first private customer for a future flight near the Moon. On the same day, the company confirmed that it would at least consider launching weapons into space if asked to do so. The statement was given as an answer to a question, with the company indicating that the potential service would be provided for the US government if necessary for defense purposes.

The statement was made by SpaceX President and COO Gwynne Shotwell during the Air Force Association's symposium yesterday. The question was posed, "Would SpaceX launch military weapons?" The answer to that, it seems, is it depends.

Shotwell didn't say the company would be guaranteed to do so, but indicated that it would at least think about the possibility. "I've never been asked that question," Shotwell first said in response. "If it's for the defense of this country, yes, I think we would."

Shotwell was asked about whether she is concerned about national security threats from space involving Russia or China, as well. She said — at the business level — that SpaceX is concerned about competition from both nations due to being "backed heavily by their governments."

The company has focused heavily on a number of projects, including the successful creation of rockets that can be landed and reused. SpaceX is working toward the event transportation of human crews to and from the International Space Station, that being a stepping stone toward the distant goal of taking humans to Mars.

SOURCE: Space News