Black projects: can we agree to disagree?

[bobbymike]

Many of the posts to this thread discussed the disappearance of any culture of risk in the development of aerospace tech since the late 60'. In short, "if we make one mistake they will cancel the program.

Came across this quote in an AIAA paper on Aerojet's development of a 260" diameter solid rocket (sferrin made reference to this on another threat, to be honest I had not heard of the program).

"Although many difficult technical challenges confronted the NASA/Aerojet team, the space race demanded
success. The team motto was "get it right the first time". The bottom line for the program: any catastrophic
failures would lead to project termination."

Now this quote does not necessarily negate the previous posts because the key word in the quote is any "catastrophic" failure. Now it seems it is any "slightly loose bolt" will cause cancellation. Aerospace engineering must be an incredibly stressful profession.

 

[LowObservable]

"any catastrophic failures would lead to project termination."

Not to mention leaving a large smoldering crater where there used to be a test stand.

 

[sublight]

You guys REALLY need to read this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Blank-Spots-Map-Geography-Pentagons/dp/0525951016

Its by the "I Could Tell You But Then You Would Have to be Destroyed by Me" guy.

He makes the argument by collating test pilots resumes that in addition to have blue, tacit blue, and bird of prey, at least 7 manned classified programs have flown since the 1980's

 

[sferrin]

"Although many difficult technical challenges confronted the NASA/Aerojet team, the space race demanded
success. The team motto was "get it right the first time". The bottom line for the program: any catastrophic
failures would lead to project termination."

I don't know if I agree with that completely, as was pointed out, compared to today's environment they had LOTS of wiggle room. The first Blackbird flew with J-75s. Imagine the stink that would be raised if the first F-35A flew it's first flights with an F110 in the back end. Ye gods, the world would probably come to an end as we know it.

 

[quellish]

You guys REALLY need to read this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Blank-Spots-Map-Geography-Pentagons/dp/0525951016

Its by the "I Could Tell You But Then You Would Have to be Destroyed by Me" guy.

He makes the argument by collating test pilots resumes that in addition to have blue, tacit blue, and bird of prey, at least 7 manned classified programs have flown since the 1980's

Uh, Peter Merlin is the source on that. Read here:
http://www.dreamlandresort.com/black_projects/black_projects_history.html

You'll note him credited in the book.