Re: Porting VMS versus building a new spacecraft

On 2024-06-10, Arne Vajhøj <arne@vajhoej.dk> wrote:

On 6/10/2024 5:46 PM, Single Stage to Orbit wrote:

 
Not so well for Boeing. Numerous issues with their StarLiner despite
being paid billions, whilst SpaceX got the job done for far less.
Perhaps there's something to be said for that development model, as
long as there's a strong focus on safety.

>
I got the impression that Boeing does not have a problem with
StarLiner but that Boing simply has a problem.
>
737, 787, StarLiner, T-7, KC-46, Air Force One.
>

Boeing's problem is that the beancounters took over from the engineers
during the merger. We are now seeing the results of that.

Of course, this short-term next-quarter attitude is the same problem that
is affecting way too many critical companies here in the West for the last
couple of decades.

I would also argue that this is also a failure of multiple governments in
multiple countries in that they should never have allowed the companies
within their control to weaken the infrastructure of the countries in
question with outsourcing and replacement of experienced employees.

These countries (including the US) are no longer in control of their own
destiny due to the outsourcing of critical infrastructure and manufacturing
infrastructure. Of course, in the case of the UK, we are about to find out
if the next bunch of jokers will be any better than the current bunch of
jokers...

I recently watched some historical documentaries about the US during the
1950s/1960s because I wanted to know more about US military technologies
and capabilities during that time period. I wonder if the US today could
even build a modern-day DEW line let alone how long it would take _if_
they could still do it. :-(

IOW, the Boeing problems are just a symptom of a far larger problem in
our societies in how, thanks to this short-term and "me, me, me!!!" thinking,
we have lost control of the long-term destiny of our societies.

Simon.

--
Simon Clubley, clubley@remove_me.eisner.decus.org-Earth.UFP
Walking destinations on a map are further away than they appear.