SpaceX has changed the game in rocketry with the Falcon 9, and the upcoming Starship could make space more accessible than ever. However, not all is well at the aerospace company. A group of employees fed up with the behavior of CEO Elon Musk have released an open letter calling on SpaceX to address its Musk problem. Currently, Musk has not taken a break from fretting over low birth rates to Tweet about the letter. It’s probably only a matter of time, though.
The impetus for the letter appears to be the recent accusation of sexual misconduct against Musk. Last month, it was reported that Musk propositioned a SpaceX flight attendant, offering to buy her a horse in return for sexual favors. When she reported the incident, SpaceX paid a $250,000 settlement to make it all go away. Musk says the accusations are false, and he’s been aggressively making that point while also decrying “woke” culture on Twitter. He’s doing this in the midst of his attempt to buy the social media platform, too.
This week, staff shared the open letter in a SpaceX team chat with over 2,600 employees. According to the letter, published in full by The Verge, it was drafted by employees “across the spectra of gender, ethnicity, seniority, and technical roles,” Musk’s online behavior has become a problem, causing constant “distraction and embarrassment.” The letter goes on to note (rightly) that Musk is seen as the public face of SpaceX — his statements on Twitter are often taken as official word from the company. “It is critical to make clear to our teams and to our potential talent pool that his messaging does not reflect our work, our mission, or our values,” the letter says.
The unrest comes as SpaceX prepares for more Starship test flights. (Photo: SpaceX)
SpaceX has a zero-tolerance standard for sexual misconduct on the books, as well as a vague “no assholes” policy. The employees behind the letter say the company has not lived up to these commitments. In order to move forward, the letter asks for three specific changes. First, SpaceX should separate itself from Elon Musk’s personal brand. Second, it asks that all SpaceX staff, regardless of seniority, be held to the same ethical standards. Finally, the letter calls on the company to clearly define the zero-tolerance and no-assholes policies and ensure they are enforced.
Employees are invited to sign onto the letter either by name or anonymously by filling out a survey or scanning a QR code. The signed letter will be delivered to SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell.
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