[wazer5]

Common sense and circumstantial evidence suggests Elon was planning major DoD support including global missile defense as early as 2001.

- SpaceX first contract was DARPA Falcon Project (part of Prompt Global Strike). Possibly even where the Falcon name came from. (mentioned in parent article)

- SpaceX founding contracts with NASA were awarded by Elon's friend Michael D. Griffin https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_D._Griffin#Career who architected global missile defense and designed space-space interceptors for SDI. His NASA COTS program was an unprecedented award and given to SpaceX before they had even flown a rocket. He also awarded CRS to SpaceX just before leaving office. This constituted 85% of all SpaceX funding (remaining 15% was Elon and a few investors). https://wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceX#2005%E2%80%932009:_Falcon_... Griffin was so important to Elon that it is rumored he named his first son after him (Griffin Musk).

- Griffin went on in 2019 to start the Space Development Agency where he advocated for global satellite constellations of sensors and space weapons. First contracts were given to SpaceX after Starlink seemed viable. https://wikipedia.org/wiki/Starlink#Military_capabilities

Lately it's unclear if Elon is still supportive of said programs as fervently as he did in the early days. He's still hiring for Starshield..