It's right that Musk stays as FRS, new astronomer royal says

The Royal Society was right to keep Elon Musk as a fellow, Britain's new astronomer royal has said, adding there was a benefit in the private sector – such as Musk's SpaceX company – playing a role in space exploration.

- Nicola Davis

Speaking to the Guardian after becoming the first woman to hold the 350-year-old position, Prof Michele Dougherty, a planetary scientist, said she was not involved in the meetings about Musk's fellowship, but she supported the academy's stance.

“The outcome of those meetings, and I've seen emails about it, is that he remains as a fellow of the Royal Society, because the reason he was given the [fellowship] has not changed,” said Dougherty.

Asked if she thought this was the correct outcome, she said: “Yes, I do.”

Musk was elected as a fellow of the Royal Society in 2018 for his contribution to the space and electric vehicle industries. But over the past year, a host of scientists have called for the society to take action, saying Musk had violated the academy's code of conduct, including through his former role in leading the US department of government efficiency (Doge).