Space X has monopolized global rocket launches, Tesla: competitors lack ambition.

Elon Musk responded to the news about the "monopoly in the rocket launch market" by saying that the competitors lack ambition. SpaceX's mission is to make life multi-planetary.

On July 7th, according to launch data compiled by astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell, in 2022, 66% of the customer flights from US launch sites were powered by SpaceX rockets. This proportion was 88% in the first six months of this year.

This reflects that SpaceX has a de facto "monopoly position" in the rocket launch field, including transporting astronauts and launching satellites. Their flight speed is unmatched by competitors, and their prices are lower.

The report points out that this dominant position is expected to continue. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has prevented many launch service buyers from using the Russian Soyuz rocket, which was originally an alternative option. Competing launch vehicles from Blue Origin and Arianespace have not yet been launched.

In addition, some competitors transitioning to new rockets are gradually phasing out existing rockets. United Launch Alliance (ULA) launched a government satellite in June using a Delta IV Heavy rocket, which will be the second-to-last time this vehicle is used. On July 5th, Arianespace's Ariane 5 rocket performed its final launch mission.

According to The Wall Street Journal, former Air Force Space Command officer John Holst said, "Competitors are currently unable to launch any products, making SpaceX the de facto monopolist."

In response to this, Musk tweeted about the news report on Friday:

"The goals of nations and companies are too low, their lack of ambition is their shortcoming.

SpaceX's mission is to make life multi-planetary.

Even if we can only achieve a little success in this goal, it will bring better performance to Earth's orbit."

Musk founded SpaceX in 2002 with the aim of one day transporting humans to other planets. Since then, SpaceX has gradually established a monopoly position in the rocket launch business through active testing and improving launch vehicles.

SpaceX is also the only company that transports NASA astronauts to the International Space Station. A few years ago, SpaceX began handling national security space flights for the United States, ending ULA's previous monopoly in this field.

Driven by government priorities and commercial satellite operators, the demand for SpaceX launches has been increasing. In March, Musk tweeted, "Barring a serious launch anomaly, SpaceX will deliver 80% of Earth's payload mass to orbit this year. This does not include Starship."