@arstechnica I remember 20-25 years ago when NewSpace advocates encouraged reusable rockets, it would make people look crosseyed at you. Even people at NASA.
Now that SpaceX demonstrated it on orbital class rockets, everyone sees the point. Before SpaceX jumped in with enough money, it was proven on smaller rockets by DC-X, Armadillo, Masten Space and Unreasonable Rocket.
Yes, I know NASA's Space Shuttle had reusable orbiters. But even that was so expensive, it was really just "refurbishable". Space Shuttle technology got people thinking about reuse over the long term, but failed spectacularly in reducing cost per launch.
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