What is the primary driver of lower launch costs emphasized in SpaceX's vertical integration model?
Answer
Reusability focus
The core economic mechanism driving down launch costs for SpaceX is the intense focus on reusability. By prioritizing hardware that can be utilized for multiple flights, the recurring cost associated with launching payloads decreases dramatically. While vertical integration and a singular focus certainly contribute to efficiency by reducing overhead and streamlining decision-making, reusability directly attacks the largest variable cost component in traditional rocketry: the consumption of expensive hardware per mission. This concept reshapes the fundamental economics of accessing space by spreading the initial manufacturing expense across many missions.
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