As a result, Shotwell has helped navigate a SpaceX conglomerate that now has operations in rocket launching, satellite communications, artificial intelligence and social media. She told Time, regarding SpaceX's acquisition of xAI, that "these are Elon companies. Elon makes these kinds of decisions," and that she was supportive of the move.
Her enthusiasm for SpaceX's future, much of it dependent on untested technology, is broad. Shotwell told Time it would be "a shame" if SpaceX's Starship rocket can't take 50 to 100 people at a time to the moon in 10 years. She also endorsed manufacturing on the moon and the idea of settling Mars. Shotwell said the "obvious role for AI" is for robots, an idea that could tie SpaceX closer to Musk's Tesla (TSLA), the publicly traded electric-vehicle company.
Having Shotwell in such a powerful position separates SpaceX from Tesla, where investors and analysts have long been concerned about the "key person" risk that comes with Musk's star power. For years, Tesla has been without a clear successor to Musk, who along with running his companies has in the past gotten involved in politics.
"You're getting the benefit of the vision and charismatic leadership," Owens, the Morningstar analyst, told MarketWatch. But Musk may not be needed for SpaceX to maintain its advantage in rocket launches and satellite-communications, he added.
