Death of Rocket Engineers

[selenite0]

Three employees of Scaled Composites killed in rocket engine test.

Rocketry is an unforgiving business. I still remember the shocked look of a classmate when I explained nitroglycerine wasn't energetic enough to be a useful fuel. But giving the human race the ability to escape this one fragile planet is a cause worth sacrificing for.

Comments

[astroprisoner.livejournal.com]

This is an odd concept that our society has developed in the past few decades, the belief that death is unnatural, and that we surely must avoid any activity that might lead to it.

Ferdinand Magellan had no such illusions when he set sail to circumnavigate the world in 1519. 250 men set sail, three years later 18 returned. Magellan was not among them. But the trip is considered a success.

If we launched 250 people on a three-year mission to Mars, and only 18 returned from the red planet alive, our society would wail and decry the horrible failure. Magellan's voyage was (and is today) seen as a triumph, and the loss of 232 men was simply the price of exploration.

Magellan understood.

I fear perhaps in our society that we've grown so lofty and so cocooned that we dare dream ourselves immortal. We aren't, of course...and we won't become immortal. Thus we become terribly cross when accidents happen such as the one at Mojave, and we're reminded that if we dare to reach outward, not everyone will survive the trip.

[jmroberts70.livejournal.com]

Well said, rjlippincott

[faxpaladin.livejournal.com]

Condolences and GoodThoughts...

[unwilly.livejournal.com]

I saw that.

I've been impressed with their work and projected passenger flights.

It made me think of all the hushed up failures at Star City.

[filkferengi]

[cues up "Starsoul" by Urban Tapestry.]