I'm not sure that, that "succeed or die" mentality/necessity is really a bad thing, at least in the beginning. I can't speak to space programs, per se, but as far as software start ups, so many of them are great as slim companies who have to produce but fail to transition once they are bought out and become an overlarge, corporate goliath with deep pockets and room to fail. Without the sword of Damocles, as it were, the finish line can continue to be pushed back and the specs can be changed. It can stay academic.