Greetings all,   
      
   SpaceX has clearly demonstrated that their methods and procedures are working.   
   They're the most reliable launch service currently on Planet Earth, and the   
   only people recycling hardware (AFAIK - I'd love to hear about it if someone   
   else is doing it).   
      
   As some very bright person once said: "Sooner or later the Physics are the   
   same for Everybody." That means the only things that is stopping someone else   
   from copying SpaceX road to success are: Capital to Invest, Actual Industrial   
   Secrets, Patent Laws or    
   what?   
      
   SpaceX is a very public company, public in the sense that they're open and on   
   display, and don't seem to want to keep anything secret. The fabrication   
   techniques they are using are well known and understood, and widely used.   
      
   Their engines are a sensible evolution on technology that has existed since   
   the 60s. Their choice of fuel and oxidizer mix is different but hardly   
   revolutionary, and it has been studied and even tested on a small scale   
   before.    
      
   They likelihood that SpaceX has stumbled upon some wonderful mysterious new   
   process or science that makes their rockets fly better is extremely unlikely.   
   So no Actual Industrial Secrets, right?    
      
   Is the rest of the world so broke that NO ONE is willing to try catch up. I   
   can't believe that neither the Russians or Chinese are not at least looking at   
   the possibility of building their own SpaceX-like system. Of cause neither of   
   those countries have    
   the best record with recognizing or respecting patents held by foreign   
   companies or countries. So SpaceX's patents (if they hold any) are not going   
   to protect them from espionage and copying.   
      
   I understand that building a new rocket system is a long-winded affair. SpaceX   
   was in business for 8 (?) before it managed its first launch. But they have   
   demonstrated that reduced costs and reusing hardware can be done   
   profitably. So why no imitators? Or are all the imitators hiding in the   
   shadows, waiting to announce their SpaceX beater when they are ready to make   
   their debut flight?   
      
   Any thoughts? What am I missing?   
      
   Regards   
   Frank   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)