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waterheater • yesterday at 10:54 PM • 2 replies • view on HN

Their quasi-monopolization of access to space is entirely due to unserious efforts by virtually all non-US governments to build reusable rockets. Yes, space is hard, but I see no technical reason why only SpaceX should be able to achieve such a massive lead. The only explanation is stubbornness: legacy rocketry programs killing innovation to protect their own jobs.


Replies

YetAnotherNick • today at 12:22 AM

Which non US government are you talking about. China is investing heavily and making at least some progress. EU couldn't get "legacy rocketry programs" working, so the reason is incompetence not stubbornness. India is trying a bit, but they don't have capacity to spend. Russia is also trying.

lukeschlather • today at 12:04 AM

I would call Blue Origin setting off the largest launchpad detonation in history a lot of things, but I would not call it unserious.