> On that note, this might be the perfect opportunity for some never-before-herad-of Russian billionaire to make their mark as well by providing similar services to the rest of Europe that may be underserved if SpaceX really takes off in the US.
You haven't learned your lesson from the last 20 years.
There are no more "European markets for space launch" and "American markets for space launch" than there are "European markets for database products".
People compete globally.
The only reason that someone in China or France wouldn't prefer the use the best quality / lowest cost supplier is if their local government gets involved and distorts the marketplace via either taxation or regulation.
Funny, I could work for a US database company but I can't work for a US rocket company.
Also, if the US wants to buy an aerial refueling aircraft, they are more likely to choose Boeing than Airbus. And of course its the other way around, too.
So these are two different markets. For products, but also for engineer recruiting.
Ideally, yes. But that isn't necessarily going to be the case when you're dealing with a massive shift from government agencies to private corporations (regardless of how they operate). The politics and the business may change.
If you want an accelerated view of what I was imagining, consider this: say SpaceX is wildly successful. Ten years from now, they have not only fulfilled all of their existing NASA contracts but they've also made huge advancements towards bringing all sorts of payloads to and from the ISS and maybe the moon, whatever. They could offer their services to any highest bidder, or, as a US company, could continue to cut deals with the government that they pay taxes to and bias all of their business in its favor. Their profits will not suffer because there will likely be similar ventures in other countries, and all in all it will be very similar to space exploration at the height of its frenzy, before everyone got all chummy with common goals for humanity and whatnot. I wish I could type this faster and more clearly but I've got to run– I hope you get my point though (even if you disagree).
I think you're being a little condescending. Musk has repeatedly alluded to competition with the Chinese, and since current cap. is 12 launches/year with 40 on the books, a company with comparable capability certainly could edge their way into other regional markets.
You haven't learned your lesson from the last 20 years.
There are no more "European markets for space launch" and "American markets for space launch" than there are "European markets for database products".
People compete globally.
The only reason that someone in China or France wouldn't prefer the use the best quality / lowest cost supplier is if their local government gets involved and distorts the marketplace via either taxation or regulation.