The head of NASA, Bill Nelson, has called for an investigation into reports that Elon Musk, the billionaire founder of SpaceX, has been in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin since late 2022. The Wall Street Journal first reported these alleged communications, which have raised national security concerns. According to the report, Musk and Putin have discussed personal topics, business, and geopolitical tensions.
Nelson emphasized that if these reports are true, they would be concerning for several U.S. agencies, including NASA, the Department of Defense, and intelligence agencies. The White House has not confirmed the reports, and Kremlin officials have stated that Musk and Putin have only had one conversation about space and technology.
The investigation has been prompted by concerns over potential access to sensitive government information and U.S. intelligence. The report also mentioned a request from Putin to Musk not to activate the Starlink satellite internet service over Taiwan as a favor to Chinese President Xi Jinping
