Why Elon Musk does not have entry to all of SpaceX’s prime secret work: report

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX data of the work the house exploration firm does for the U.S. army and intelligence group is proscribed by its safety clearance stage, however the firm reportedly didn’t search a better clearance for Musk because of issues about disclosures that might compromise his present clearance.

THE The Wall Street Journal reported Citing folks conversant in the matter, SpaceX legal professionals really useful that firm executives not search a better safety clearance for Musk as a result of he would have been questioned about his contacts with international officers in addition to his previous consuming of medication.

Musk holds a “prime secret” clearance which provides him entry to a few of the SpaceX’s sensitive programs. Nonetheless, it doesn’t have the higher-level permissions for “compartmentalized delicate data” that roughly 400 SpaceX staff have, nor the permissions for “particular entry applications” {that a} smaller variety of SpaceX staff have. firm, the Journal reported.

SpaceX’s authorized group explored the dangers that might come up from in search of a extra superior safety clearance for Musk in response to the Journal’s June 2023 report on the billionaire entrepreneur’s use of ketamine.

ELON MUSK’S SPACEX LAUNCHES FIFTH MISSION TO STRENGTHEN THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE US GOVERNMENT’S RECOGNITION SATELLITES

SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk’s safety clearance limits his entry to a few of the firm’s nationwide safety initiatives, the WSJ reported. (Nathan Laine/Bloomberg through Getty Photos / Getty Photos)

One of many outlet’s sources mentioned the evaluation discovered that this might enhance the danger that Musk could be denied probably the most superior clearance or doubtlessly lose his present standing. top secret clearance.

It additionally may have required the corporate to beef up safety to isolate labeled elements of its enterprise from Musk, or receive a waiver to proceed doing nationwide safety work because of Musk’s position as CEO of the corporate, based on the report.

Along with his present prime secret clearance, Musk doesn’t have entry to sure details about SpaceX’s work on a spy satellite programreferred to as StarShield. He’s additionally not approved to enter firm services the place labeled work is carried out and, in lots of circumstances, has no data of labeled cargo carried by SpaceX launches, based on the report.

NASA CHIEF SAYS WSJ REPORT ALLEGATIONS ELON MUSK WAS IN REGULAR CONTACT WITH PUTIN SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED

President-elect Donald Trump, left, has tapped Elon Musk, proper, and Vivek Ramaswamy to steer the Division of Authorities Effectiveness, which may give them the chance to evaluate labeled applications as a part of their discount efforts prices. (Picture by Brandon Bell/Getty Photos/Getty Photos)

The federal safety clearance utility course of asks candidates whether or not they have used sure medicine previously seven years, and clearance holders can have their entry revoked for drug abuse. It additionally requires disclosure of communications with international nationals.

In distinction, the CEOs of SpaceX opponents like Boeing, Lockheed-Martinand the 2 firms’ joint house enterprise, United Launch Alliance, have clearances for delicate and compartmentalized data, the Journal reported, citing folks conversant in their clearances.

ELON MUSK’S TIES STRENGTHEN TIES TO US INTELLIGENCE AND MILITARY AGENCIES

SpaceX’s actions with U.S. protection and intelligence companies have grown quickly lately. (Reuters/Kaylee Greenlee Beal / Reuters Pictures)

Musk obtained his prime secret clearance in 2022 after beforehand holding a secret-level clearance, however the approval course of for his prime secret clearance took a number of years, which individuals conversant in his clearance believed was because of him. smoking marijuana throughout an look on Joe Rogan’s podcast in 2018, as a result of the substance is prohibited below federal legislation.

Musk’s work with the brand new Trump administration, which tasked him and Vivek Ramaswamy with main the brand new Department of Government Effectiveness (DOGE)may give him the power to entry labeled data if President-elect Donald Trump chooses to train authority that might permit him to take action.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE

The Journal reported that SpaceX is searching for places to arrange a safe facility the place Musk and DOGE staff may securely evaluate labeled data as a part of their cost-cutting efforts.

FOX Enterprise has contacted SpaceX for remark.