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I believe Admiral Rickover made a very similar case with his "Paper Reactor" memo back in 1953[1]:"The academic-reactor designer is a dilettante. He has not had

I believe Admiral Rickover made a very similar case with his "Paper Reactor" memo back in 1953[1]:"The academic-reactor designer is a dilettante. He has not had to assume any real responsibility in connection with his projects. He is free to luxuriate in elegant ideas, the practical shortcomings of which can be relegated to the category of “mere technical details.” The practical-reactor designer must live with these same technical details. Although recalcitrant and awkward, they must be solved and cannot be put off until tomorrow. Their solutions require man power, time, and money." 1. https://whatisnuclear.com/rickover.html https://whatisnuclear.com/rickover.html

izacus 2y ago
Maybe quoting the person which had to be forcefully retired to stop them from holding back development of nuclear navy (not to mention his tendency to settle political scores by holding back certifications) after 1970 isn't the best in given context.
- ethbr1 2y ago
  63 years of active duty service (1918 - 1982). Zero naval reactor accidents. Finally forced to retire after refusing to agree to pay General Dynamics Electric Boat $634 million for mistakes they made in submarine construction. ... yeah, what an asshole.
  - izacus 2y ago
    I think you should really read more on his track record, history and reasons for dismissal.
    - ethbr1 2y ago
      If you've got a bone to pick, then include the entire story, good and bad.
cmdrk 2y ago
"Since they are innocently unaware of the real but hidden difficulties of their plans, they speak with great facility and confidence. Those involved with practical reactors, humbled by their experiences, speak less and worry more." Replace 'reactors' with any sufficiently complex system and you'll find this resonates incredibly strongly even today.
- Gibbon1 2y ago
  My dad worked on the Pioneer 10 and 11 space probes. Specifically the frame that held them to the rocket. It had to be light, strong, flexible enough to isolate them from the rockets vibration, and not resonate either. Design, fabrication, and testing took 18 months. And he wasn't the only engineer working on it.

izacus 2y ago

Maybe quoting the person which had to be forcefully retired to stop them from holding back development of nuclear navy (not to mention his tendency to settle political scores by holding back certifications) after 1970 isn't the best in given context.

ethbr1 2y ago
63 years of active duty service (1918 - 1982). Zero naval reactor accidents. Finally forced to retire after refusing to agree to pay General Dynamics Electric Boat $634 million for mistakes they made in submarine construction. ... yeah, what an asshole.
- izacus 2y ago
  I think you should really read more on his track record, history and reasons for dismissal.
  - ethbr1 2y ago
    If you've got a bone to pick, then include the entire story, good and bad.

cmdrk 2y ago

"Since they are innocently unaware of the real but hidden difficulties of their plans, they speak with great facility and confidence. Those involved with practical reactors, humbled by their experiences, speak less and worry more." Replace 'reactors' with any sufficiently complex system and you'll find this resonates incredibly strongly even today.

Gibbon1 2y ago
My dad worked on the Pioneer 10 and 11 space probes. Specifically the frame that held them to the rocket. It had to be light, strong, flexible enough to isolate them from the rockets vibration, and not resonate either. Design, fabrication, and testing took 18 months. And he wasn't the only engineer working on it.