From: jfindley@no.spam.cinci.rr.com   
      
   In article ,   
   frank.scrooby@gmail.com says...   
   > 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?   
   >   
      
   Both the Europeans and the Chinese are dabbling with creating their own   
   vertical landing launch vehicle first stages.   
      
   Here in the US, Blue Origin seems to be the only real contender that's   
   building a large launch vehicle that's designed to land and reuse its   
   first stage.   
      
   Russia is doing absolutely nothing with regards to reuse that I can see.   
   Same for India and Japan, as far as I can tell.   
      
   That covers all the "big players" in the global launch industry.   
      
   Jeff   
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