You think I don't have the facts. I think you've been seduced by the fascination with science fiction, in which everything is possible and magic is merely advanced technology.
As for Musk and SpaceX, he saw that there was a business opportunity. After the end of the space shuttle program NASA was dependent on the Russians for access to the ISS. SpaceX has been very successful, showing that he made a good business decision. And like any business owner, he's now promoting the services of his company.
There are many legitimate uses for space, and SpaceX is an excellent resource for those uses: Satellites for communication, geolocation, and Earth research, robotic exploration of other worlds, space telescopes, etc. I contend that sending people to Mars is not one of them.
See, this clearly shows that you've started with your conclusion and worked your views of the facts around it.
Here are the facts:
- SpaceX was started in 2002.
- The Columbia space shuttle accident happened in 2003. In 2004, the commission investigating concluded that the space shuttle program would end after the ISS construction due in 2010.
- The russian soyuz program was VERY cheap relative to the space shuttle for sending astronauts to space
- We were on good terms with Russia at that time. So good that Elon was going to them to buy their launch service.
- The Delta program was also cost effective relative to the shuttle for sending satellites to space.
- Musk didn't ASSUME he could make rocket launches cheaper until AFTER he went shopping for a launch service to send a token plant to mars.
- 4 years later, SpaceX still had NOT TESTED a single Falcon 1.
- 6 years and with almost all of his money gone (including the money of his friends), SpaceX still did NOT have a successful Falcon 1 launch.
- China's Long March successfully launched in 2003.
When you look at the chronology, there's no way to conclude that SpaceX was founded as a way to make money. Unless you think any of the above facts are wrong?
Edit: Starting a private rocket company, at a time when governments were the only entities wealthy enough and with enough engineers to do so, was literally the STUPIDEST way to make money. EVERY DIY project has only started because the DIYer was trying to save themselves money. The business "opportunity" only comes up AFTER the project starts.