A Platform Approach to Space Exploration

Private rocket companies like SpaceX have driven launch costs so far down that they have increased demand for services in space.  The secret to their success is that they treat rocket systems as platforms rather than as bespoke,...

The approach to space exploration is to treat each project as a one-off mega project. This approach is provided by NASA. Each launch is treated as a one-off, one-of-a-kind investment, trying to deliver a "quantum leap" or "big bang" NASA's Pathfinder mission is described by a manager as " magnificent mission in the grand old style"

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