6 ms·

Bit off topic w.r.t Tesla but could you elaborate more on the SpaceX vs Blue Origin point? Do they have different methods in building their rockets and their s

Bit off topic w.r.t Tesla but could you elaborate more on the SpaceX vs Blue Origin point? Do they have different methods in building their rockets and their supply chains?

upwardbound 5y ago
Here's a comparison that Blue Origin themselves made in an internal memo in 2018: https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/10/revealed-the-secret-notes-of-blue-origin-leaders-trying-to-catch-spacex/ https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/10/revealed-the-secret-... The article has 3 pages, make sure to check out the whole thing.
- upwardbound 5y ago
  For example: “Cost as a design constraint and important variable is embraced by their culture, instead of being viewed as an evil metric that leads to a sub-optimal outcome," one [Blue Origin] executive wrote [about SpaceX]. "I believe we study a little too much and do too little," one [Blue Origin] executive wrote. "More test [rather than] more analysis will allow us to progress more quickly, iterate, and eventually succeed."
jonas21 5y ago
I would have assumed SpaceX vs Boeing (Starliner) would have been a more relevant comparison. Boeing generally tends to outsource as much as they can.
CamperBob2 5y ago
SpaceX does business with the DoD, which can give them supply-chain priority over everyone else for so-called "DPAS rated" purchase orders. [1] If I'm fulfilling a rated order, I not only have the ability, but the obligation, to inform my suppliers that I'm at the front of the line. Tesla, presumably, isn't able to play that card. 1: https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/other-areas/strategic-industries-and-economic-security-sies/defense-priorities-a-allocations-system-program-dpas https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/other-areas/strategic-indu...
- panick21 5y ago
  They didn't have that for all the development of Falcon 9. SpaceX deliberately vertically integrated and moved to automotive and other suppliers because space suppliers were so bad. I would be surprised if they have to use this process all that often, specially now that they have reduced construction rates.

Bit off topic w.r.t Tesla but could you elaborate more on the SpaceX vs Blue Origin point? Do they have different methods in building their rockets and their supply chains?

upwardbound 5y ago

Here's a comparison that Blue Origin themselves made in an internal memo in 2018: https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/10/revealed-the-secret-notes-of-blue-origin-leaders-trying-to-catch-spacex/ https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/10/revealed-the-secret-... The article has 3 pages, make sure to check out the whole thing.

upwardbound 5y ago
For example: “Cost as a design constraint and important variable is embraced by their culture, instead of being viewed as an evil metric that leads to a sub-optimal outcome," one [Blue Origin] executive wrote [about SpaceX]. "I believe we study a little too much and do too little," one [Blue Origin] executive wrote. "More test [rather than] more analysis will allow us to progress more quickly, iterate, and eventually succeed."

jonas21 5y ago

I would have assumed SpaceX vs Boeing (Starliner) would have been a more relevant comparison. Boeing generally tends to outsource as much as they can.

CamperBob2 5y ago

SpaceX does business with the DoD, which can give them supply-chain priority over everyone else for so-called "DPAS rated" purchase orders. [1] If I'm fulfilling a rated order, I not only have the ability, but the obligation, to inform my suppliers that I'm at the front of the line. Tesla, presumably, isn't able to play that card. 1: https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/other-areas/strategic-industries-and-economic-security-sies/defense-priorities-a-allocations-system-program-dpas https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/other-areas/strategic-indu...

panick21 5y ago
They didn't have that for all the development of Falcon 9. SpaceX deliberately vertically integrated and moved to automotive and other suppliers because space suppliers were so bad. I would be surprised if they have to use this process all that often, specially now that they have reduced construction rates.