The BBC recently caught up with Tom Mueller, one of the original co-founders of SpaceX, who has played a pivotal role in the company's growth and innovation. In an exclusive interview, Mueller shared fascinating insights into his days working alongside Elon Musk, the company's visionary CEO.
Mueller, often referred to as 'employee number one', joined the company in 2002, just as it was taking off. He credits Musk's unwavering dedication to the mission and his unrelenting drive for innovation for laying the foundation for SpaceX's rapid success. 'Elon's vision was always to make humanity a multi-planetary species. I was sold when I met him,' Mueller recalled.
The two men formed a tight-knit team with a shared vision, working tirelessly to bring their ideas to life. According to Mueller, Musk's leadership and decision-making skills were instrumental in overcoming the numerous challenges that the company faced during its formative years. 'Elon's ability to prioritize and delegate tasks effectively enabled the team to make quick progress,' he noted.
As SpaceX navigates its current trajectory, with ambitious plans to return humans to the moon and establish a permanent presence on Mars, Mueller's recollections serve as a poignant reminder of the company's rich history and the people who have contributed to its remarkable growth.