[ClumsyPilot]

> This engine development for example, is something that in the US startups who don't get much government money are doing. And there are like 10+ companies working on comparable technology.

"working on" is not good enough, most start-ups never succeed. Very few have a fully-tested reusable engine. And the engine has to be in the same class - most start-ups work on miniature rockets, only good to launch a couple tons into space.

Bottomn line is, Europe does not have the intense private investment for this sort of thing, but the work still needs to be done.

[panick21_]

Well many are further along then Europe is with their engine. Some are much further along.

> And the engine has to be in the same class - most start-ups work on miniature rockets, only good to launch a couple tons into space.

Read my to level comment, I have a whole list. And I didn't even include smaller engines.

> Bottomn line is, Europe does not have the intense private investment for this sort of thing, but the work still needs to be done.

I didn't say they should do any investing or building engine. What I said is that you can't just say ESA has a smaller budget and that's why they don't have these things.