> Because something like VTOL rockets can only be innovated by a private company focused on unit economics and scale economies. I don't think anyone is proposi

> Because something like VTOL rockets can only be innovated by a private company focused on unit economics and scale economies. I don't think anyone is proposing that government employees (or politicians) actually design the rockets themselves. The question is, can governments oversee and fund the development of innovations like VTOL rockets? And the answer to that question is "yes"[0]. As for why innovation in that field stopped, and had to be picked up again by private companies, I think it's worth asking whether large companies have undue influence over the sorts of projects that governments choose to pursue. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_DC-X https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_DC-X