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SpaceX Launches Rocket as Leaks Threaten Success
After years of development, the SpaceX Board of Directors announced it has successfully launched its Big Falcon Rocket (BFR). The BFR, which flung into space on Dec. 5, is bringing supplies to Mars for astronauts to use on the planet.
However, the company’s challenges overshadow this development, as demonstrated by newspaper headlines such as “Kim Jong Un Sabotages SpaceX.”
An encrypted virus from an unknown source in North Korea infected SpaceX office computers and left the company offline for hours.
The virus did not reach the BFR launch, but the hacks affected office systems and company data. The extent of the damage is not yet known, but the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) discovered burnt computers inside a Korean cafe they say were used in the hack.
The FBI also found incriminating documents revealing company leaks in the SpaceX offices.
The Hardware Engineer Officer wrote emails to Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin, rival company to SpaceX. In these emails, addressed to the “Dear Blue Origin,” the Hardware Engineer Officer asked Bezos for a job in exchange for SpaceX knowledge.
Musk fired the Hardware Engineer Officer and replaced him with someone he says is loyal.
Yet, the corruption continues with another source inside SpaceX attempting to meet with rival Jeff Bezos in Seattle. As of press time, FBI investigators have not identified this individual.
The FBI uncovered another anonymous employee within SpaceX who exchanged emails with Chinese officials. Because of China’s hostile view towards the space program, Musk says that these communications are “treason.”
Still, SpaceX released a statement saying it looks toward the future and its board is preparing for its investors reactions, mainly Google and Fidelity.
On Dec. 20, the company is pushing a new plan: Integrated Safety Management. Espoused by the SpaceX Legal Council and the Mars Planning Department, the directive will integrate legal precautions against Blue Origin taking SpaceX ideas from disgruntled SpaceX employees.
The FBI investigation is ongoing and will look into ties to North Korea as well.