Part 10/12:
When Musk challenged Mueller to determine what it would take to send 100 tons to Mars, Mueller’s technical acumen led to a critical decision: switch from hydrogen to methane fuel. Methane offered lower costs and easier production on Mars, making it a key component of Musk’s multi-planetary vision.
Legacy and Current Endeavors
Mueller retired from SpaceX in late 2020, having played an instrumental role in every major milestone. His engines have flown over 400 missions, demonstrating unmatched reliability and cost efficiency. Despite Musk’s fame, Mueller’s name remains largely behind the scenes—his engineering genius the backbone of SpaceX’s technology.