> considering the amount of NASA money they get I don't think it's right to say they didn't rely on government funding. Rather, they probably have the advantage

> considering the amount of NASA money they get I don't think it's right to say they didn't rely on government funding. Rather, they probably have the advantage of not being under the direct thumbs of government accountants The Great Leap Forward was that SpaceX bid fixed actual price contracts. This was previously unheard of practice. Oh the other players might have bid what looked like fixed price, but any scope creep and it would end up a cost-plus gravy train. They did tons of development on those contracts, but they still bid cheaper than ULA.