[rcchen]

One thing that needs to be considered is that SpaceX is operating in a space that has far higher risk for a (relatively) indeterminate reward right now. A single accident could severely damage the company's reputation and revenue stream, and I think their valuation might reflect this cautious approach to their business model.

[TeMPOraL]

I agree; though as a side point - after 3 failures in 2008 and that famous "optimism, pessimism, fuck that" quote, I want to believe it will take more than just a single accident to damage SpaceX's reputation.

[robbiep]

You could replace spacex with whatsapp in that paragraph and it would still be true- more so even- the barrier to change with messaging apps is almost zero however everyone knows rockets are hard and no one expects a failure on the pad to destroy what is looking like a good launch track record.

If whatsapp start charging or introduce ads I can't see why people would stick around, considering the Huge number of whatsapp users who also have viber/snapchat/basis sms also installed