Reply to post: Re: Elon Musk was on hand to offer advice.

This isn't Boeing very well... Faulty timer knackers Starliner cargo capsule on its way to International Space Station

asphytxtc

Re: Elon Musk was on hand to offer advice.

Few comments on this

> #1: SpaceX has launch failed quite often

In terms of launch failures, I believe I can think of three. CRS-1 where a Merlin exploded during flight (mission still a success however). CRS-7 where the second stage ruptured due to a helium bottle strut and AMOS-6 again due to a helium bottle failure. I wouldn't personally classify that as "often" although I will agree it's above say the Atlas V. I do agree SpaceX has had quite an extensive amount of LANDING failures during their development of the Falcon 9. I wouldn't class these as "launch failures" though, the Falcon 9 is one of the worlds more reliable launchers statistically at the moment.

I do agree though, SpaceX have a fail fast, fail often approach to development. And I think that's great!

> #2: For Boeing, fixing and trying again is going to cost hundreds of millions, and take months if not a year. And specifically that cost is going to be paid by NASA, not Boeing, because they are contracted on cost-plus

Except this is not a cost plus contract, they were (both Boeing and SpaceX) fixed price contracts. I will agree however, Boeing has certainly tried to extract more money out of NASA as of recent, an extra $300m I believe.

I can't find fault with #3

I really do despise Boeings way of working though....

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