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He’s probably referring to the time NASA lost the $125 million spacecraft because teams used different systems. https://www.wired.com/2010/11/1110mars-climate-
by melling 7y ago
He’s probably referring to the time NASA lost the $125 million spacecraft because teams used different systems.
https://www.wired.com/2010/11/1110mars-climate-observer-report/ https://www.wired.com/2010/11/1110mars-climate-observer-repo...
It’s helpful when there’s only one system. In the US, it’s too costly to switch. HN readers are global and we’re technical so there’s no reason not to simply use metric.
- EdwardDiego 7y ago> In the US, it’s too costly to switch. What is the estimated cost out of curiosity?
- adrianmonk 7y agoI estimate the cost to be 1 unit of national pride.
- melling 7y agoEverything has a cost. NASA estimated their cost was $370 million to switch to metric. https://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/04/why-the-us-hasnt-fully-adopted-the-metric-system.html https://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/04/why-the-us-hasnt-fully-adopt... The cost of switching road signs alone was quite expensive. Exit numbers, for example, are often the mile marker number.
- adrianmonk 7y agoOh yeah, I'm not saying there's zero monetary cost. I'm saying the blocker isn't affordability.