SpaceX and the convergence of Big Tech and defense

In her book ‘Valley of Death: How Big Tech is Fueling the Future of War’, journalist Sharon Weinberger examines the convergence of Silicon Valley and the defense establishment. The narrative highlights how private companies have fundamentally altered modern warfare and space exploration.

A pivotal moment cited is the 2008 launch of the Falcon 1 rocket by SpaceX, a privately funded company founded by Elon Musk. This event demonstrated that space technology, previously the exclusive domain of nation-states, could be achieved through private capital. Consequently, SpaceX has evolved into what some analysts describe as the most valuable defense contractor in the world.