Launching Frequently Key To NASA Success

teeks99 writes "Even NASA could benefit from the 'Launch Often' idea that is frequently referred to in the software development community. However, in NASA's case, the 'launch' is a bit more literal. Edward Lu, writing in the New York Times, points out that by lowering the consequences of launch failure, and making frequent launches available to engineers, NASA could open up a new wave of innovation in space exploration. If there were weekly launches of a rocket, there would be many opportunities for new ideas to be tried out in communications, remote sensing, orbital debris mitigation, robotic exploration, and even in developing technology for human spaceflight. Another benefit would be that the rockets would be well understood, which would improve reliability."

Comments

Fuel

[bucketoftruth]

The first thing that occurs to me is that it probably takes more than a week to gather all the fuel to launch a satellite into orbit, you insensitive clod.

"Launching is frequently the key to success?"

[Arancaytar]

No shit, Sherlock? Good luck succeeding without launching. :P

(Yes, I know.)

Re:But in the big picture. Have you seen it?

[damburger]

Yeah! And who wants a power source that doesn't produce nuclear waste anyway?