Aversion to risk. A $billion+ gift each year from Uncle Sam to 'maintain' a launch capability and 'free' pads from Harris-Vandenberg and PAFB kept Boeing/Lockheed in the game without risking 'Investors' deposits. For that $billion and cost+ launches, US gets an average of one Delta launch a year and a few 60year-old Atlas cost+ launches with filthy thyroid killing strap-ons. Since actually RISKING 'Investors' deposits with un-tested hardware is 'fiducially irresponsible' for any 'Public Corporation', unless DOD or NASA covers ALL costs, the US space game stopped at Reagan. ATK-Orbital are cleaning out the back stockroom, P&W-Rocketdine just walked away.