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Indeed, SpaceX nearly went bankrupt in the early days because they couldn't get a contract until they successfully launched a rocket. That first contract after
by TaylorAlexander 7y ago
Indeed, SpaceX nearly went bankrupt in the early days because they couldn't get a contract until they successfully launched a rocket. That first contract after their first successful launch was from NASA.
- fragmede 7y agoNASA didn't do that out of the goodness of their hearts though. Pound-for-pound (which, to orbit is pretty pricey), SpaceX was cheaper. Blue Origin, a different space corporation, was not even in consideration, but if they had something competitive, NASA would have considered their bid as well. (Tbc, Blue Origin isn't shooting for that market at all, so this is in no way a dig at them.)
- Retric 7y agoRisk is a huge factor in costs. Adjust for risks and early SpaceX was more expensive than their competitors.
- coldtea 7y ago>NASA didn't do that out of the goodness of their hearts though. Pound-for-pound (which, to orbit is pretty pricey), SpaceX was cheaper Well, that's how you do it: you mismanage a state organization to make development costlier, and then you give the project + profits to private industry pals... That's how many-a-privitizations have started...