🚀 go-pugleaf

In <1992Nov17.181045.29655@iti.org> aws@iti.org (Allen W. Sherzer) writes:

>There are two things which need to be validated. First is the aerodynamics of
>the 'flip maneuver' they use on re-entry. The second thing is to verify
>their models and simulations on tasks needed for rapid operations (can the
>engines be serviced as fast as they think, ect).

The second goal is vastly more important than the first. If the flip
manuever proves problematical, the next vehicle could be redesigned 
to use a more conventional base-first reentry (like Apollo).  If the
maintenance goals can't be achieved, however, it would undermine the 
entire justification for the project.


>>Does this program have the ability to fascinate congress and
>>Al Gore if it demonstrates what it intendend to do? 

>I hope so. We are working hard on that (again, let me know if you want
>to help). We have shown a few key people that there is support for this.

Nothing that doesn't have "ecological disaster" in its title has
the ability to fascinate Al Gore.  However, Milton Freidman used
to tell a story about geese and politicians.  If you watch a flock
of geese, flying in "V" formation behind the leader, everyone once 
in a while you will see them start to head in the wrong direction.
The other geese, realizing something's wrong, turn and continue in
the correct direction.  Finally the "leader" turns his head, realizes
no one is following him, and starts to flap like mad to get in front
of everybody else again.  Politicians operate much the same way.

The critical test, I think, is public opinion.  If the American
people get really excited about this, Clinton and Gore will quickly
move into the "I said it was a good idea all along" camp.  That will
happen around the time of the first test launch, if it happens at all.
When a project goes from zero visibility to the network news, it makes
all the difference in the world because most politicians (and most
Americans) don't care about anything that doesn't make the network
news.  (Let's just hope the launch happens on a slow news day.)