Khaberni - The acting NASA Administrator, Sean Duffey, and billionaire Elon Musk exchanged sharp criticisms online about who should lead the administration, the day after Duffey called for companies to compete with Musk's SpaceX for the lunar landing mission.
The dispute became public after Musk responded on the social media platform X to reports that Duffey wanted to merge the National Aeronautics and Space Administration into the Department of Transportation. Duffey also holds the position of Secretary of Transportation.
Musk wrote, "The person responsible for the American space program cannot have a two-digit IQ."
Duffey told the program "Fox & Friends," aired on Fox News Channel last Monday, that the development of SpaceX's "Starship" spacecraft is behind schedule in its mission to return humans to the moon as part of the agency's Artemis program, which competes with China’s lunar program.
As a result, Duffey said NASA would invite other companies to compete for the mission, which was awarded to SpaceX in 2021.
A NASA spokesperson said that Duffey is focused on beating China regarding the lunar landing. The spokesperson added, "Sean said that NASA could benefit from him being part of the cabinet, and perhaps even in the Department of Transportation, but he never said he wanted to keep the job for himself," in reference to a report published by "The Wall Street Journal" indicating that such a move could secure Duffey's role at NASA.
Musk and SpaceX did not respond to requests for comment.
Duffey said on X on Tuesday: "I love the passion. The race to the moon has begun," in response to Musk’s post betting that "Starship" will "end up carrying out the entire moon mission." He added, "Great companies should not be afraid of the challenge."
