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I mostly agree with you. However, I should point out that there is a less ambitious project already, Vulcan [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulcan_(rocket) http
by curtis 10y ago
I mostly agree with you. However, I should point out that there is a less ambitious project already, Vulcan [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulcan_(rocket) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulcan_(rocket)], which at least in its current incarnation is a joint project between ULA and Blue Origin. Vulcan is officially a ULA project, but as long as they're planning to use Blue Origin engines, I think you can make a credible argument that it's substantially a Blue Origin project too.
- greglindahl 10y agoBlue Origin is supplying a rocket engine for Vulcan. ULA currently buys rocket engines from Aerojet Rocketdyne and the Russians for their existing Delta and Atlas rockets. You can argue all you like, but ULA is driving the bus, and Blue Origin's contribution and responsibility is limited. That's even more true now that Blue Origin has announced that they plan on competing with ULA.
- curtis 10y agoI don't think there's any part of engineering a rocket that's easy, but I am under the impression that the rocket engines are generally regarded as the hardest part. Of course the true veterans would probably tell you that the economics of the launch business is actually the hardest part, but since we're talking about Jeff Bezos here, the normal economic rules probably don't apply.