Akins' Laws of Spacecraft Design

[Jonfliesgoats]

Here are some goofy and some pretty wise suggestions from U of Maryland:

http://spacecraft.ssl.umd.edu/akins_laws.html

[insert_name]

NASA could learn from number 39

[wumpus]

20 hours ago, insert_name said:

NASA could learn from number 39

I'm fairly sure NASA learned it a long time ago.  If they build a new launch vehicle, it is because they believe that their program as a launch vehicle program is harder to cut.

I think most senior NASA hands hired on with the Apollo mission.  Just look at their budget over the years.  That an there was a huge push a ways back to stop hiring GS-n workers and hire contractors (across as much government as possible, although they may have hired a few GS-types in more recent years).

[Bill Phil]

20 hours ago, insert_name said:

NASA could learn from number 39

If only NASA could actually decide...

[Jonfliesgoats]

To be fair to NASA, they are subject to the whims of the American electorate and politics.  

[wumpus]

The constitution says the Congress writes the budget every year.  NASA can decide all they want, they only have the funds Congress gives them that year (and expect plenty of micromanagement (for values of micromanagement down to the $100M*.  Things get weird at federal levels).

* this is a rather old value.  For all I know they round up to billions now, or electronic spreadsheets allow for greater micromanagement.