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Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design

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Summary

This article presents 45 laws of wisdom regarding spacecraft and space system design, including "Engineering is done with numbers," "At the start of any design effort, the person who most wants to be team leader is least likely to be capable of it," and "Space is a completely unforgiving environment. If you screw up the engineering, somebody dies." The laws were written by David Akin, a Professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Maryland, based on his decades of experience in the field.

Q&As

What is the purpose of Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design?
The purpose of Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design is to provide wisdom and advice to those involved in spacecraft and space systems design and development.

What is the importance of numbers in engineering?
The importance of numbers in engineering is that analysis without numbers is only an opinion.

How can design be an iterative process?
Design can be an iterative process by doing one more iteration than the number of iterations already done.

What is Miller's Law and Mar's Law?
Miller's Law is that three points determine a curve, and Mar's Law is that everything is linear if plotted log-log with a fat magic marker.

What is the advice given in Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design?
The advice given in Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design is to estimate and guess in an emergency, to distrust assertions that the optimum is at an extreme point, to document when in doubt, to not design something one bit "better" than the requirements dictate, to not believe an analysis just because it appears in print, and to not be immensely smarter than everyone else in the field.

AI Comments

👍 This article provides a wealth of wisdom for anyone looking to get into spacecraft design. Professor Akin's extensive experience is evident through the insight and advice he shares.

👎 The article is very long and could have been condensed to make it easier to absorb. Additionally, the analogies used to illustrate the points could have been more relatable.

AI Discussion

Me: It's called "Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design" and it's written by a professor of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Maryland. It's essentially a list of pieces of wisdom that he has garnered over his career working with spacecraft.

Friend: Interesting. What kind of implications does it have?

Me: Well, some of the implications are that engineering needs to be done with numbers, design is an iterative process, and that it's important to understand the capabilities and limitations of a design in order to create an effective and reliable spacecraft. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of documenting and communicating designs effectively, and understanding the importance of past experience and analysis when making decisions. Ultimately, it emphasizes the need to be careful and meticulous in designing spacecraft, as mistakes could have deadly consequences.

Action items

Create a work breakdown structure for a spacecraft design project.
Research the laws of spacecraft design and analyze how they can be applied to a current project.
Develop a presentation to explain the importance of engineering with numbers and the iterative design process.

Technical terms

Engineering: the application of scientific and mathematical principles to practical ends such as the design, manufacture, and operation of efficient and economical structures, machines, processes, and systems.
Analysis: the process of breaking a complex topic or substance into smaller parts to gain a better understanding of it.
Iterative: a process of repeating a sequence of operations or steps in order to get closer to a desired result.
Miller's Law: a law of psychology that states that three points determine a curve.
Mar's Law: a law of physics that states that everything is linear if plotted log-log with a fat magic marker.
Edison's Law: a law of engineering that states that "better" is the enemy of "good".
Shea's Law: a law of engineering that states that the ability to improve a design occurs primarily at the interfaces.
Optimum: the best or most favorable point, degree, or amount possible under given circumstances.
Estimate: a rough calculation or guess of the value, number, quantity, or extent of something.
Warp Drive: a hypothetical faster-than-light propulsion system.
Requirements: a statement of necessary conditions or qualities that something must have in order to be acceptable.
Interface: a point where two systems, subjects, organizations, etc., meet and interact.
Terminal Velocity: the maximum velocity attainable by an object as it falls through a fluid.
Documentation: the process of providing evidence (including both written and oral statements) that can be used to verify facts or test hypotheses.
Work Breakdown Structure: a hierarchical decomposition of the total scope of work to be carried out by the project team to accomplish the project objectives and create the required deliverables.
Testing Failure: a situation in which a test does not produce the expected results.
Log-Log: a type of graph in which both axes are scaled logarithmically.
Reality Check: an assessment of the current situation to determine if it is consistent with the desired outcome.
Scheduling: the process of organizing and managing tasks and resources in order to complete a project on time.
Presentation: the act of presenting something to an audience.
Larrabee's Law: a law of education that states that half of everything you hear in a classroom is crap.