[TulliusCicero]

> If the main objective of the Ariane Group is to offer Europe independence by providing access to space, I think that’s worth a premium.

I mean in that case, wouldn't the superior option be having a more cost competitive private launch provider in Europe? that way you'd get both European independence and lower prices. Surely there's a way to foster that situation, since that's what the US has.

[kranke155]

Having the EU work this out would be hard since pork barrel is kind of part of the way the whole thing is done. You need to have multiple production points, factories etc in order for the EU to do anything like this.

I just don’t see how they would do this.

[brookst]

Exactly this. The diversity of interests means EU will never be as operationally efficient, and therefore as low cost, as SpaceX.

EU's strength is that diversification. They should lean into that and find a way (?) to benefit commercially. I don't know quite what that is, but someone needs to come up with something. Because the inefficiency is baked in.