A Russian spaceflyer was pulled from SpaceX’s next astronaut mission for violating U.S. national security regulations, according to a media report.
This morning, The Insider reported that Artemyev, 54, was apparently removed from Crew 12 for violations of ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations), a U.S. law that seeks to safeguard national security by restricting the dissemination of sensitive information and technology.
“The cosmonaut allegedly photographed SpaceX documentation and then ‘used his phone’ to export classified information,” The Insider wrote (in Russian; translation by Google), citing the work of launch analyst Gregory Trishkin.
I’d say they probally represent a common perception of Musk and SpaceX these days. Not everyone has time to pay attention to everything they do, but lots of rocket explosions make headlines.
You’re not wrong, I’m just pointing out why the misperception is understandable, and probally common.