I saw what government programs were and how they were executed. In some cases, they were executed beautifully, but in others, there was tremendous waste.

I don't like to camp. Early on, Mars is going to be camping. I think there are people far better suited to do that than me. But when the first Holiday Inn Express shows up, maybe I'll go.

After I finished my master's degree, I moved to a company called Aerospace Corporation, a big think tank for the U.S. Air Force and the National Reconnaissance Office.

What would air travel look like if airplanes were thrown out after each flight? No one would be flying in airplanes.

The key is to join an industry that you have a passion for. If you love cars, then automotive is where you should end up.

SpaceX is a flat organization. Anyone gets to talk to anyone, and the best idea wins - even if it comes from an intern.

I'd love to go to space. I would love to peek out a giant window and look back at the blue marble. There's no question; I'd love to do that.

I remember in third grade, I asked my mom, 'How does an engine work?' So my mom bought me a book.

I left Aerospace because I wanted to go build, and put spacecraft together.

I do want to make something clear: SpaceX does have a lot of government business, but we execute in a commercial fashion.