To build a flyback first stage would avoid making any hard part. The problem is that it would increase operations costs. Check the expected costs. It is hard t

To build a flyback first stage would avoid making any hard part. The problem is that it would increase operations costs. Check the expected costs. It is hard to get mega-projects like that working. The traditional solution is to build a little, test it -- and then build more. Compare the cost for the whole project with the cost for SpaceX. Or one of the classics -- an air tanked system with a few jet engines. Point is, you can get lower launch costs -- and with less development danger.