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"SpaceX has entered into an agreement with NASA for a Dragon mission to Mars" -- NASA is footing the bill.

Government contracts are often quite profitable, not to mention the technology and reputation gains SpaceX would realize from such a mission. I would expect investors to be thrilled with this announcement.

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“We’re particularly excited about an upcoming SpaceX project that would build upon a current ‘no-exchange-of-funds’ agreement we have with the company,” noted NASA deputy Administrator Dava Newman. “In exchange for Martian entry, descent, and landing data from SpaceX, NASA will offer technical support for the firm’s plan to attempt to land an uncrewed Dragon 2 spacecraft on Mars.”

It's hard to tell from the article if NASA is actually footing the bill. But I would assume you're correct.

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