I would dispute the "let's waste money" part - there were a LOT
of unknown variables when they started and they learned a LOT of
lessons with little loss of life. The lives lost were due to
making decisions about variables that they thought they knew
about, but which were actually not as well known as believed -
Challenger SRB O-rings and retainers; ice damage to thermal tiles;
fire hazard of wire insulation in a high-oxygen environment
coupled with lack of consideration for rapid module exit
requirements.
There was waste, for sure, but I would argue the increase in
knowledge far exceeded the dollar cost.
Donald.
On 12/1/24 14:34, wn4isx via groups.io
wrote:
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My uncle worked for a company that made sub assembles for
NASA and NASA ordered a special run of? maybe 1000 1N4004 in
glass. They wanted to study what vibration did the the PN
junction. It worked out the glass couldn't withstand the g
forces of the shake table and failed long before any meaningful
data was collected,
My uncle gave them to me. I should have saved them because
they'd be collector's items today.
?
The company made the locking solenoids that held the LEM to
the Apollo command module.
I have one of the engineering prototypes made for proof of
concept.
?
So yes 1N4004 diodes are a dime a dozen (or nickle)? but the
glass envelopes were an odd ball.
NASA did all sorts of similar "Let's waste money." The major
companies loved those projects, cost plus were contracts were
amazingly profitable.
