Musk doesn't solve the design problems, but (a la Jobs), he does tell the "real engineers" what problems to solve. Here's an interview with Tom Mueller, the Sp

Musk doesn't solve the design problems, but (a la Jobs), he does tell the "real engineers" what problems to solve. Here's an interview with Tom Mueller, the SpaceX lead propulsion engineer since inception, about (among other things) working with Elon. Note particularly the discussion of "face shutoff", which is an approach to sequencing engine startup which Musk insisted on over Mueller's initial objections, because Mueller thought it would be too hard to make it work in an engine the size of the Merlin. They ultimately did, after blowing up a lot of test hardware. The result was a simpler, lighter, more reliable engine -- which they wouldn't have had if Musk hadn't insisted they try, over Mueller's objections. https://zlsadesign.com/post/tom-mueller-interview-2017-05-02-transcription/ https://zlsadesign.com/post/tom-mueller-interview-2017-05-02...