This week’s rapid, unscheduled disassembly of Elon Musk’s bromance with Donald Trump has left officials at America’s space and security agencies reeling. One NASA official, wary of the agency’s dependence on SpaceX as the space exploration industry’s leading recipient of government contracts,

A public clash between Donald Trump and Elon Musk has deepened uncertainty over NASA’s future, as potential cuts and threats to key contracts raise alarm about the viability of the US space industry.

The worried reaction within space and national security agencies highlights the risks of government’s exclusive dependence on SpaceX for crucial tasks, including classified missions.