Ian
wrote:
Are you guys really worried about which is the one true benchmark (OTB T.M.)?
It's
important when you start comparing different vehicles with different uses.
People have been and will be comparing the shuttle with apollo and other craft.
In fact, you do so below. So you have to be real specific about what you
compare against what.
It has a failure rate per launch of about 2%. The Soyuz has a failure rate of about 2%. Any mature, good rocket has a failure rate of about 2% currently. Until we get to launching a lot more often; I don't expect it to improve any.In any case, no matter how you slice it, the shuttle fleet has a better safety record than previous vehicles combined, IMO.
Sander
that
was actually Ian's statement, not mine. I woulnd't know how to get to 2% failure
rate figures. I certainly wouldn't dare generalize like that by adding
'any'.
Sander
