An experienced designer with more freedom to act might have realised that there was just too much optimism in the Ares I concept: that a shuttle SRB was simply too small as a first stage for a rocket carrying the relatively heavy Orion spacecraft. Henry Spencer actarecarry share on social
Testing a parachute drop of a heavy object is not simple. Henry Spencer dropheavyobject Change image and share on social
The Moon may not be quite as appealing as Mars, but it's still a complex and poorly understood world, with many questions still unanswered. Henry Spencer appealcomplexmar Change image and share on social
Trying to build a spaceship by making an aeroplane fly faster and higher is like trying to build an aeroplane by making locomotives faster and lighter - with a lot of effort, perhaps you could get something that more or less works, but it really isn't the right way to proceed. Henry Spencer aeroplanebuildeffort share on social
Solid-fuel rockets can't easily be shut down on command. Henry Spencer commandeasilyfuel Change image and share on social
If your goal is to change the world, you can't start by doing things the same old way because it sells better. Henry Spencer changegoalsell Change image and share on social
As plans for the first lunar landing started to be made, nobody had really thought about who would be out first. Henry Spencer landlunarmake Change image and share on social
Foul-ups in testing are not uncommon, especially when the test setup is being tried for the first time. Henry Spencer foulsetuptest Change image and share on social
The original specifications for Apollo navigation called for the ability to fly a complete mission, including a lunar landing, with no help from Earth - none, not even voice communications. Henry Spencer abilityapollocall Change image and share on social
Supplying fuel for a Mars expedition from the lunar surface is often suggested, but it's hard to make it pay off - Moon bases are expensive, and just buying more rockets to launch fuel from Earth is relatively cheap. Henry Spencer basisbuycheap share on social
