While reading Walter Isaacson’s fascinating Elon Musk biography, “Musk,” I encountered an incredible fact that shows just how much our government overpays for things. In the course of designing a space vehicle to replace the shuttle, Musk explained how his team took a latch from a bathroom door and, with some engineering and a cost of $30, used it to perform the same function as a latch purchased by NASA for the shuttle (for which NASA paid $1,500).

Musk has experienced cost savings firsthand in his own business, and that’s expertise he is now empowered to project across the entire federal government. Seems to me we have the right man for that job.

BOB SEGAL



Burke, Virginia

Copyright © 2025 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.

PIANO END ARTICLE RECO