SpaceX’s entry into $70 billion U.S. launch market draws Lockheed jab

Re:SpaceX’s entry into $70 billion U.S. launch market draws ... by mtgx on Tuesday December 25, 2012 @09:15AM (#4966005)

Of course Lockheed is upset. They got used to getting fat contracts with money amounts that had nothing to do with the cost of what they were building. Now they'll have to actually compete as a normal company would do in the market.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:SpaceX’s entry into $70 billion U.S. launch market draws ... by Tloewald on Tuesday December 25, 2012 @11:24AM (#4966307)

To give Lockheed some credit — their original goal was probably reliability over all else. In most cases their payloads are insanely expensive (ignoring opportunity cost — how much is having a surveillance satellite in place when needed worth?) and saving money on the launch is a false economy. Now they're having the fat pulled out of their contract (i.e. the launches where reliability isn't paramount but the cost structures were already established).

Whether SpaceX can establish itself as a mission critical alternative to ULA remains to be seen — 66 launches is no minor feat (but according to Wikipedia they have had at least TWO failed launches, is that 2/68 or 66 successes in a row or what?)

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:SpaceX’s entry into $70 billion U.S. launch market draws ... by sliverstorm on Wednesday December 26, 2012 @03:58AM (#4968666)

Not to mention, how much is not having top-secret surveillance satellite land in your neighboor's backyard worth?

[ Parent | on HN ]