The SpaceX had a successful launch today. This is the BBC report, and everything metric, not a single conversion is sight. This is how it SHOULD be.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18154937 John F-L From: Kilopascal Sent: Sunday, May 20, 2012 1:49 PM To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: BBC News - SpaceX readies historic mission http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-18108742 Older article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12975872 It seems that the only way that NASA can stop using non-metric measures in the design and manufacture of spacecraft is to not get involved in space projects, but to fund private companies that do use the metric system internally. It is good to see that they funded SpaceX and not anti-metric dinosaurs like Martin-Marietta. It is good to see that the SpaceX is using rounded metric in its descriptions of the Dragon and not so rounded USC. Hopefully those who view the site will know that metric system has replaced USC in spacecraft design and not just metric, but SI. http://www.spacex.com/dragon.php When NASA decided to design the later canceled Constellation project in non-metric, the private sector using metric pointed out the huge mistake NASA was making: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06/23/nasa_metric/ Leading the fight to bring NASA into the metric fold is Mike Gold of the US civilian space outfit Bigelow Aerospace. His company is "dedicated to developing next-generation crewed space complexes to revolutionize space commerce", and hopes that in the future the Constellation Orion capsule might carry paying customers to its orbiting outposts. However, Gold fears possible imperial/metric incompatibility issues. He said: "We in the private sector are doing everything possible to create a global market with as much commonality and interoperability as possible. But NASA still can't make the jump to metric." Canceling the Constellation project and funding private metric companies is the smartest thing NASA has done. Let's hope it continues this bold move. This seems to be the only route to go in other industries too. If you want things to be made in metric units, then purchase and support financially only from companies using the metric system and factor out those that don't. No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2176 / Virus Database: 2425/5011 - Release Date: 05/20/12
