this post was submitted on 02 Nov 2024
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I do think there's a significant difference in approach. NASA has a focus on doing it once and doing it right, SpaceX has a focus on doing it as many times as physically possible and learning a tremendous amount from the many, many failures. Be honest, did anyone genuinely believe that rocket would be successfully captured on the first attempt?
If it had blown up, oh well. That's SpaceX's whole thing. If a NASA rocket blows up, it's a big fucking deal, and suddenly we don't show shuttle launches in schools anymore
That is again due to how they are treated and funding constriction. NASA has not received the same "grace" in failures that you are giving SpaceX. They'd love to do more missions and they're also better about doing things right. You should know whether your rocket works before it's launched just like a bridge needs to work as built. NASA also doesn't get money from it's missions. Whatever they put in orbit doesn't generate revenue it is only for public data gathering.
That is such a crass reference to Challenger... SpaceX mishaps so far have not killed people. Will you still be giving them leeway when they do?
I don't think I'm wrong at all to suggest that they have different philosophies when it comes to launching rockets. The reason behind that is worth talking about, but the fact remains that they have different philosophies. Personally, I would love for NASA to get funding exceeding SpaceX's funds. We could certainly afford it. But no matter how much funding they get, Joe Public will get pissed about wasted tax dollars if NASA starts blowing up rockets. SpaceX, while partially publicly funded, is ostensibly a private company, which allows them some leeway in the eyes of the public when it comes to blowing up rockets.
What kind of leeway do you think I'm giving SpaceX? What kind of leeway do you think I'm not giving NASA? Consider the fact that I'm morally consistent. Do you think you can answer your question yourself?