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I worked on falcon 9 and cargo dragon, and was on a control shift for the C2 mission. Finding out about problems wasn't the stressful part. Actually launching t
by sgtnoodle 4y ago
I worked on falcon 9 and cargo dragon, and was on a control shift for the C2 mission. Finding out about problems wasn't the stressful part. Actually launching the rocket and seeing it leave the launch pad was stressful. Waiting for the capsule to detach from the second stage and deploy its solar panels was stressful. Watching it approach the space station was stressful.
Learning about problems and solving them were comforting. It increased everyone's confidence that we had built a robust and predicable system. The head of the software test team would have snuck into the capsule if he could!
- bilekas 4y agoWow.. I actually never thought about it that way, of course I knew they would be stressful but getting the opportunity to fix them before they're up there actually would be comforting!
- sgtnoodle 4y agoTons of little problems happen throughout a typical mission and it's normal. Space ships are designed with a lot of redundancy so that the overall vehicle keeps working while folk on the ground work through the problems. Robust and flexible telemetry and command systems are incredibly important. I help design UAVs for medical deliveries now, and while it's really satisfying work, launching a new UAV prototype is only a small fraction of the adrenaline rush of launching a falcon 9 rocket!