NASA Delays Launch Of Space Shuttle Endeavour

Saturday, June 13, 2009

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/5522076/Nasa-delays-launch-of-space-shuttle-Endeavour.html

“The problem is a repeat of the same issue that delayed the launch of Endeavour's sister-ship Discovery in March.”

I understand what is meant here, especially in the context of the full article, but when it comes to project implementation - as distinct from project design - I believe that conservatism rules.

There is a great deal more learned by stepping back and thinking than by ploughing ahead. Also it takes less time to pick up the broken pieces of a failed project.

Project design is a time for airy dream-like frenetic star-bursts of ideas. That’s the time for “Let’s take this idea down the road a little ways and see where it leads us”.

Project implementation is the time for steady-as-she-goes, are all the legs level?

I see the detection of a flaw in the design or implementation as a major success in any project. Ploughing ahead when the design is flawed is a sure recipe for disaster, and your organization will sicken, and maybe die, as a result of that.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

The Toronto Star reports ( http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/652034 ) another delay. Hooray!

"We're going to step back and figure out what the problem is and go fix it," said deputy space shuttle program manager LeRoy Cain. "And then we'll fly as soon as we're ready to safely go do that."

Serious, authentic, professional engineering.

No one dies.

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