Archive · 29 Dec 2025
Elon Musk Admits 'The Dictator' Inspired Starship Design
Elon Musk, the boss of SpaceX, once said that he made the top of their big spaceship, called Starship, pointy because of a funny scene in a movie called 'The Dictator'.
In the movie, a character says that pointy things are scarier than round ones.
Musk thought it would be funny to make Starship pointy, even though it might not be the best for flying.
The spaceship is very tall and can carry lots of people and stuff to space.
People on the internet found this story interesting and talked about it a lot.
Elon Musk admitted Starship's pointy design was inspired by 'The Dictator' movie.
The design change was made for aesthetic reasons, not aerodynamic benefits.
Starship is a 171-foot-tall, fully reusable spacecraft with a payload capacity of 100-150 metric tons.
The pointy design is not aerodynamically superior but is considered cooler by Musk.
The anecdote resurfaced in late 2023, sparking widespread social media reactions.
- Who
- Elon Musk, SpaceX CEO
- What
- Starship design inspired by 'The Dictator' movie
- When
- Design change made in 2021, resurfaced in 2023
- Where
- SpaceX, United States
- Why
- Musk found the pointy design 'cooler'
- Inspiration Source
- The Dictator (2012 film)
- Design Change
- Pointy nose
- Starship Height
- 171 feet
- Payload Capacity
- 100-150 metric tons
- Passenger Capacity
- Up to 100 people
- Aerodynamic Impact
- Argubly slightly worse
- Initial Public Mention
- February 2021 (Joe Rogan Podcast)