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

Re:But in the big picture

[MichaelSmith]

How about the megatons of fuel used per launch? Where does that come from, btw? & is it limitless?

Pretty much. Its just hydrogen and oxygen. Viewed differently its just water and electricity. With the right plant you can make megatons of the stuff quite cheaply.

Re:But in the big picture

[Ihmhi]

I recall reading that an Abrams Tank gets 1 mile/gallon and has a 60 gallon tank.

But then reading a bit into it, I'm wrong. (I'm probably thinking of a different tank.) The M1 Abrams gets 0.6 miles/gallon and has a fuel capacity of either 498 gallons or 505 gallons.