Test pilots doesn't mean their lives should be treated as expendable. Every possible step should be taken mitigate known risks. > They even launched with a hel

Test pilots doesn't mean their lives should be treated as expendable. Every possible step should be taken mitigate known risks. > They even launched with a helium leak I don't know how big of an issue this is,but I wonder how much of that decision was based on engineering vs pressure to launch as they were way behind schedule. Reminds me of the challenger space shuttle disaster [1], where the chief engineer (from a contractor) flat out refused to sign off on the launch due to several safety concerns, but NASA pressured them and overruled them and then tried to cover up their mistake. Quotes from [1]: > "And I made the smartest decision I ever made in my lifetime," McDonald told me. "I refused to sign it. I just thought we were taking risks we shouldn't be taking." Your Letters Helped Challenger Shuttle Engineer Shed 30 Years Of Guilt The Two-Way Your Letters Helped Challenger Shuttle Engineer Shed 30 Years Of Guilt > McDonald persistently cited three reasons for a delay: freezing overnight temperatures that could compromise the booster rocket joints; ice forming on the launchpad and spacecraft that could damage the orbiter heat tiles at launch; and a forecast of rough seas at the booster rocket recovery site. > The NASA official simply said that Thiokol had some concerns but approved the launch. He neglected to say that the approval came only after Thiokol executives, under intense pressure from NASA officials, overruled the engineers. [1] https://www.npr.org/2021/03/07/974534021/remembering-allan-mcdonald-he-refused-to-approve-challenger-launch-exposed-cover https://www.npr.org/2021/03/07/974534021/remembering-allan-m...