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▲ bell-cot 2 hours ago

If (1) SpaceX is the only organization actually able to launch at scale (vs. promising eventual launching at scale while burning through $billions), (2) the Big Money in space will be made with large constellations of internet/cellular communications satellites and orbital DC's, and (3) SpaceX is winding down the launch services that it provides to outside customers - then all of SpaceX's competition for the $$$ will be stuck on the ground, giving them a monopoly.

Eventually, anti-trust law and/or another competent launch provider might break that monopoly. But Elon's buddy Don will control the Justice Dept. for a couple more years. And even for the competent, ramping up launch is slow.

▲WalterBright 18 minutes ago | parent | next [-]

There's nothing stopping other rocket companies from doing the same thing Musk is.

▲tcdent 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Anti trust is completely out of the question. There is plenty of competition that is already selling contracts even if the physical product doesn't exist yet.

▲WalterBright 2 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

So we must break up a monopoly because it delivers more value at a lower cost than its competitors?

▲AnimalMuppet an hour ago | parent | next [-]

No, bell-cot's point is that they are the same company that gets the profits from the payload. It's vertical integration (pun accidental, but not avoided). That gives them a massive financial advantage as a launch company. It makes it hard for anyone else to compete with them - if they have the capacity to handle all other customers' launches as well as their own.

Internet satellites... that does look like a monopoly, or at least effectively one.

▲WalterBright 31 minutes ago | parent [-]

Companies spin off parts of their process into separate companies all the time. Auto and airframe companies are notable examples. If it was more profitable to do these in house, they would.

▲sroussey 42 minutes ago | parent | prev [-]

No, but the government could nationalize it and spin it out again.

▲WalterBright 21 minutes ago | parent [-]

We already have NASA.