>Forward thinking and risk-taking by SpaceX to further develop tech demonstrated by earlier efforts (DC-X, Mars Landing, etc.)
Is this basically a technical way of saying "people realized it could be done"? Like the 4 minute mile, once it was done once, many people accomplished the same feat soon after. The realization that it was possible changed people's perception.
Could also be that SpaceX cracked it then other companies began poaching the engineers and the other companies started getting tips on how to address the hardest problems.
When companies fail, is it the result of leadership or employees? Companies need great employees and leaders to succeed and without both, they typically fail. Hiring excellent people then motivating them all in the same direction is very difficult. Being such a leader and having access to capital and being willing to risk bankruptcy in very high risk endeavours like this is exceedingly rare.
Musk from the beginning realize to reduce the price, he would have to solve re-usabilitly. So he and the company from the beginning was focused on re-usability. He didn't just say 'this is what we are gone do'. As the company grew and solved initial problems of launch, they slowly figured out the best way to do it. And Musk as CEO was deeply involved from the beginning and and involved in all decisions.
Is this basically a technical way of saying "people realized it could be done"? Like the 4 minute mile, once it was done once, many people accomplished the same feat soon after. The realization that it was possible changed people's perception.