This week's 'once upon a time Wednesdays' features the spit of a Russian rocket designer, Space X and our good friend Elon Musk.

For those that missed it, with these posts we look back at the moments and ideas that would go on to define ‘the future’ of something.

In 2001 Musk was looking met with a number of Russian companies to buy refurbished ICBMs that could send payloads into space. However, it is said that one of the chief Russian designers spat on Musk calling him a novice: he subsequently returned to the US empty-handed.

He returned in 2002, but this time the offer he received was too expensive...again Musk returned with nothing to show for his efforts.

Following this hostile reception, the idea came to Musk that costs could be massively reduced through 'vertical integration' (i.e. building everything yourself). This allowed SpaceX to cut launch price by a factor of 10, whilst maintaining a 70% gross margin!

Furthermore, vertical integration also allowed Musk to develop the reusable rockets that would go on to define Space X's success as existing suppliers did not have the necessary components.

Now, it is going too far to say that Musk being spat on led to SpaceX's game-changing production process and business model.

However, innovation often stems from adversity and hostility.

What can be said though, is that Musk's early experiences with the aerospace industry would go on to massively inform the approach of Space X.

When we consider how SpaceX have re-ignited the public and private sectors stance and approaches to space exploration, we definitely owe Musk a debt of gratitude.

...(and perhaps even that rude Russian rocket designer)