SpaceX rocket competitors did not act for ten years while SpaceX developed disruptively lower cost rockets and reusable rockets.

United Launch Alliance has yet to fly the new Vulcan rocket. They plan to reduce their launch costs from $350 million for a Delta IV Heavy to $100 million for a Vulcan rocket.

The first launch of a Vulcan is now scheduled for 2021. Blue Origin had previously planned to introduce its New Glenn orbital vehicle in 2020. The ULA Vulcan and the Blue Origin New Glenn both use the new Blue Origin BE-4 engine in its first stage. Both rockets have slipped the first launch date to 2021.

Blue Origin has a reputation for being innovative and backed by the wealth of Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. However, Blue Origin has not launched a rocket to orbit yet.

The established US large rocket companies have failed for twenty years to adapt Space Shuttle booster technology into a successful rocket.