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SpaceX NASA returning human spaceflight to United States today (canceled)

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Re: SpaceX NASA returning human spaceflight to United States today (canceled)

#201
post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

These things don't have to be mutually exclusive. Unless you create an AI to build paperclips, of course.

In fact, if they are mutually exclusive it’d be indicative of incredible mismanagement. There are enough people for us to be able to do both, and nobody benefits from reallocating rocket scientists to things that aren’t rocket science.

Why not? Rocket scientists can work on fuel efficient cars and airplanes.

And rocket science is only one small part of the overal industrial effort of launching rockets.

Re: SpaceX NASA returning human spaceflight to United States today (canceled)

#202

Here is pretty accurate in terms of spacecraft UI docking simulator: https://iss-sim.spacex.com/ Astronauts will be using similar for manual piloting demo before docking.

I have tried and barely succeeded, I just hope those are not real controls. Those should be either automated or they should consult someone from gaming industry. Sorry to say UX controls are terrible (saying from gaming position).

Re: SpaceX NASA returning human spaceflight to United States today (canceled)

#204
I watched the first Space Shuttle launch live, I watched Challenger live. I watched the last shuttle launch live. I was sad then, realizing that America was losing launch capability on that day.

I can't tell you how exited I am to watch America's return to launch capability.

Edit: Disappointed at the scrub, but I know a lot of these weather rules were put in place because of Challenger, so I understand. Looking forward to Saturday!

Re: SpaceX NASA returning human spaceflight to United States today (canceled)

#209
post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This. Maybe I'm just ignorant about the reliability of the screens that they're using, but those sure scream single point of failure to me.

I agree and would add that we’ve gotten very used to touchscreens on our very multi-purposed phones and tablets. Navigation is a fairly fixed function. I doubt these astronauts are going to installing new apps on their way to orbit... Interestingly offshore sailboat racers (IMOCA 60 class for instance) prefer keyboards and thumb ball mice. They’re not pulling g’s, but they experience some pretty extreme motion from w…

Not all navigation is created equal. When navigating in a car or boat, you need to be able to look ahead and pay attention. Therefore physical control are better because you can use them without looking at them.

That's not the case in a space ship. Additionally, piloting a space craft is infinitely more complicated. Just take a look at the Apollo 11 control module[1]. I think having a single place where you receive all your information and react to it is way better than having to memorize the location and function of thousands of physical elements.

[1] https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/apollo-11-3....

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