I'm increasingly inclined to think there should be some regulatory oversight, maybe at the national and international level just to make sure that we don't do something very foolish.

I started SpaceX with the expectation of failure.

In order for us to have a future that's exciting and inspiring, it has to be one where we're a space-bearing civilization.

It's just mind-blowingly awesome. I apologize, and I wish I was more articulate, but it's hard to be articulate when your mind's blown-but in a very good way.

The problem is that at a lot of big companies, process becomes a substitute for thinking. You're encouraged to behave like a little gear in a complex machine. Frankly, it allows you to keep people who aren't that smart, who aren't that creative.

Weighing too much on someone's talent and not someone's personality. I think it matters whether someone has a good heart.

My mentality is that of a samurai. I would rather commit seppuku than fail.