Reuters documented at least 600 previously unreported workplace injuries at Musk’s rocket company: crushed limbs, amputations, electrocutions, head and eye wounds and one death. SpaceX employees say they’re paying the price for the billionaire’s push to colonize space at breakneck speed.

Through interviews and government records, Reuters documented at least 600 injuries of SpaceX workers since 2014. Many were serious or disabling. The records included reports of more than 100 workers suffering cuts or lacerations, 29 with broken bones or dislocations, 17 whose hands or fingers were “crushed,” and nine with head injuries, including one skull fracture, four concussions and one traumatic brain injury. The cases also included five burns, five electrocutions, eight accidents that led to amputations, 12 injuries involving multiple unspecified body parts, and seven workers with eye injuries.

SpaceX, founded by Musk more than two decades ago, takes the stance that workers are responsible for protecting themselves, according to more than a dozen current and former employees, including a former senior executive.

Musk himself at times appeared cavalier about safety on visits to SpaceX sites: Four employees said he sometimes played with a novelty flamethrower and discouraged workers from wearing safety yellow because he dislikes bright colors.

    • @[email protected]
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      1810 days ago

      I think I heard “Nationalize SpaceX” just now, and I have no complaints. Self funded NASA might get things done.

      • @[email protected]
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        410 days ago

        SpaceX can’t survive without govt grants upwards of 8 billion USD ? per year?

        So thats coming out of NASA… which means not self-sufficient …

          • @[email protected]
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            010 days ago

            8 BEEELLION USD per YEAR for a Private Business Owner … PLEASE SIGN ME UP ! :-D

            Are you seriously thinking that SpaceX can generate 8 BILLION USD revenue ???

            StarLink probably brings in about 30 to 50 USD million per year … thats not taking into account the cost of StarLink satellite launches … so that is probably break-even or a small loss-leader. ( there are maybe about 80 million StarLink customers ? paying 50 USD per month … )

            Please give me even 1 MILLION USD ! :-D Let alone 8 ! EIGHT ! VIII !!! BEEELLLION DOLLARS !!!

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              210 days ago

              Well, they’re a private company so it’s not reported. 8 Billion seems to be the consensus on guesses though. I believe the estimates put starlink revenue at roughly 3 billion.

              • @[email protected]
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                210 days ago

                3 billion from StarLink is not even remotely believable. StarLink does not have a customer base of 100+ million yet.

                • @[email protected]
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                  410 days ago

                  The US military (and other militaries) are also customers. They pay substantially more per month.