latest news SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft

As of June 6, 2025, SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft is at the center of a significant political and operational dispute between Elon Musk and President Donald Trump.

Musk Announces Dragon Decommissioning

On June 5, Elon Musk declared that SpaceX would begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft, which has been pivotal in transporting astronauts and cargo to the International Space Station (ISS) since 2020. This announcement came in response to President Trump's threats to cancel federal contracts with Musk's companies, including SpaceX, as a cost-saving measure. Musk's decision was made public via a post on X, the social media platform he owns.

Implications for NASA and U.S. Space Operations

The Dragon spacecraft is currently the only U.S. vehicle capable of ferrying astronauts to and from the ISS, especially critical as Boeing's Starliner remains grounded due to previous mission failures. NASA has heavily relied on SpaceX for crewed missions, cargo deliveries, and is contracted with SpaceX to help deorbit the ISS by the early 2030s. The sudden retirement of Dragon could disrupt these operations and force NASA to reconsider its reliance on private partnerships.

Political Fallout

The dispute escalated when Musk publicly called for President Trump's impeachment, criticizing his legislative agenda and alleging connections to controversial figures. This rift has caused divisions within political circles, with some former allies choosing sides.

Upcoming Missions Affected

The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a private astronaut mission to the ISS, is scheduled for launch on June 8 aboard a new Crew Dragon spacecraft. It's unclear how Musk's announcement will impact this mission or future ones.

NASA has reiterated its commitment to collaborating with industry partners to fulfill its space objectives, but the current situation underscores the complexities of public-private partnerships in space exploration.