To his credit SpaceX was at least a correct recognition that the dominant space launch companies were just a cartel milking federal funding for as much as possible. That sector is so stagnant that ULA still hasn’t blinked at the massive success of first stage reusability.
When you’re a government agency, you have to play things super safe. When you’re an independent company, you can do whatever you want. And if you fail, no one cares. If the government agency fails, it’s hell to pay.
To his credit SpaceX was at least a correct recognition that the dominant space launch companies were just a cartel milking federal funding for as much as possible. That sector is so stagnant that ULA still hasn’t blinked at the massive success of first stage reusability.
When you’re a government agency, you have to play things super safe. When you’re an independent company, you can do whatever you want. And if you fail, no one cares. If the government agency fails, it’s hell to pay.
Likewise for prominent contractors. When they start being Musky, you get the current Boeing debacle.
Someone tell that to NY state’s gov.
Well with SpaceX, there are now 2 big launch companies for the USA.
and given how the gov likes to spread contracts around there isnt a real existential incentive to do much.