It’s not bragworthy if you achieve zero forward progress in creating new capabilities. The Atlas, Titan and Delta series of rockets were great 50 years ago, but

It’s not bragworthy if you achieve zero forward progress in creating new capabilities. The Atlas, Titan and Delta series of rockets were great 50 years ago, but rapidly aging twenty years ago and so expensive they were holding back progress in space. It’s like Henry Ford focusing on making the original Model T higher quality, but not cheaper. It would be a great accomplishment if he doubled the number of miles between servicing and halved the rate at which key components broke. But if he’s not also reducing its costs dramatically, it robs the world of the worst affordable car for the masses, a far higher achievement.