Why Elon Musk doesn’t have access to all of SpaceX’s top-secret work: Report

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk Knowledge of the work the space exploration company does for the US military and the US intelligence community is limited by his security clearance level, but the company reportedly did not seek a higher clearance for Musk due to concerns about disclosures that could jeopardize his current clearance.

the The Wall Street Journal reported Citing people familiar with the matter, SpaceX lawyers recommended that the company’s leadership not seek a higher security clearance for Musk because he would have been asked about his contacts with foreign officials as well as his past drug use.

Musk holds a “top secret” clearance that gives him access to some information Sensitive SpaceX software. However, he does not have the top-level permissions to obtain “sensitive partitioned information” that about 400 SpaceX employees have, nor the “special access programs” permissions that a smaller number of workers at the company have, the newspaper reported.

SpaceX’s legal team explored the risks that could arise from obtaining a more advanced security clearance for Musk in response to the magazine’s June 2023 report on the billionaire businessman’s use of ketamine.

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One of the outlet’s sources said the analysis found it would increase the risk of Musk being denied the most advanced permit or potentially losing his current permit. Top secret statement.

The report said the company could also have been required to increase security to isolate classified parts of its business from Musk, or obtain a waiver to continue performing national security work due to Musk’s role as CEO of the company.

Given his current top secret clearance, Musk lacks access to certain information about SpaceX’s work on a project Satellite spy softwarecalled Star Shield. He is also not allowed to enter company facilities where classified work is conducted, and in many cases, has no knowledge of the classified cargo carried by SpaceX launches, according to the report.

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The application process for federal security clearances asks applicants if they have used certain drugs within the past seven years, and clearance holders may have their access revoked due to drug use. It also requires disclosure of contacts with foreign nationals.

By contrast, the CEOs of SpaceX’s competitors like Boeing, Lockheed MartinThe newspaper reported, citing people familiar with their permits, that the American space company and the joint space project between the two companies, United Launch Alliance, have permits to obtain sensitive fragmented information.

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Musk received a top-secret clearance in 2022 after previously receiving a top-secret clearance, but the approval process for his top-secret clearance took several years, which people familiar with his clearance believe is because of him. Smoking marijuana During an appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast in 2018, due to the substance being illegal under federal law.

Musk worked for the incoming Trump administration, which tasked him and Vivek Ramaswamy with leading the new government Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)It could give him access to classified information if President-elect Donald Trump chooses to exercise the authority that would allow him to do so.

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The newspaper reported that SpaceX is looking for locations to create a secure facility where Musk and DOGE workers will be able to safely review confidential information in the context of their efforts to reduce costs.

FOX Business has reached out to SpaceX for comment.