On one hand, I suspect Raptor is still going through initial design problems. One of indications is the "engine rich" exhaust on a recent SN landing. On the ot

On one hand, I suspect Raptor is still going through initial design problems. One of indications is the "engine rich" exhaust on a recent SN landing. On the other hand, "staged combustion" and "full-flow staged combustion" are significantly different in terms of required efforts. USSR had the first one working since mid-1960s, multiple designs were made and flown since then, it's a standard design mode for Soviet/Russian engineers. At the same time the second one was not quite completed in late 1960s and wasn't returned to since - anywhere, except Aerojet Rocketdyne prototype - and the Raptor. So... I think Blue Origin is still noticeably behind SpaceX in terms of engine technology. I wish SpaceX had more competition, but right now they are unquestionably one of world leaders in it.