Ars Technica noted that Aerojet had wielded its lobbying influence, with two politicians telling the US Air Force that it shouldn't provide more funding to ULA until it handed over "approval rights" for engine contractors. Blue Origin's methane-powered engine was "unproven," they claimed. However, Bezos' persistence paid off. His company continued with development, while Aerojet scaled back and even stopped funding its own alternative in likely anticipation of Blue Origin clinching the sale.

This doesn't ensure that Blue Origin will be a regular rocket supplier. However, it does reflect the much fiercer competition in rocketry over the past few years. Where Aerojet could previously assume it would win major rocket deals left and right, it now has to fight for some of them. That's not including business it might lose when NASA and others use rockets from the likes of SpaceX. This additional rivalry could lower the costs of spaceflight as companies strive to outbid each other on all-important rocket contracts.