It’s been more than 40 years since the first successful space shuttle launch. However, as we saw with the recent NASA launch, we still have launch failures. Why is it so tough to achieve reliability in space shuttle launches? Does this apply to all space technology?

Question

It’s been more than 40 years since the first successful space shuttle launch. However, as we saw with the recent NASA launch, we still have launch failures. Why is it so tough to achieve reliability in space shuttle launches? Does this apply to all space technology?

In:

Answer 1

Pretty much every rocket launch is it’s maiden voyage. Sure space x can reuse the rocket, but every component has to be inspected, and possibly replaced. Gaskets, pumps, valves, etc.

It’s fairly easy to build a reliable component that never leaves earth. There are many types of rocket fuels, some of them are toxic, corrosive or kept at extremely low temperatures. All of which wreck havoc on seals and gaskets.

Then during the launch, the rocket is exposed to intense forces, near constant acceleration, the vibration and shockwave from both the fuel burning, and supersonic flight.