8 ms·

Satellite insurance is probably cheaper (though rates may rise?) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_insurance https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_insu

• Someone 9y ago
  You can’t really insure a scientific career. Let’s say you work on the design and implementation of a novel scientific instrument for a satellite for over ten years. That’s a job that, relatively, isn’t paid well, but if launched, the instrument will get you papers and recognition. If the rocket launching your toy blows up, all you can get from an insurance is money, and that’s not something you value that much in life. Some satellites also have fairly tight launch windows, for example if you want to intercept a comet.
  • planteen 9y ago
    > Let’s say you work on the design and implementation of a novel scientific instrument for a satellite for over ten years. That’s a job that, relatively, isn’t paid well, but if launched, the instrument will get you papers and recognition. That's true, but building two of everything causes other problems. For a principal investigator (PI), they spend years drumming up support for a concept then hope that it continues to get funded, built, launched, and becomes operational. If we build 2 of everything, let's say it adds 2/3 to the cost. That means less money for other missions overall. That would make many scientists unhappy.
• Robotbeat 9y ago
  Government payloads are not insured. The government is "self-insured."