Quote:
Originally Posted by Spuds
Integration of some sub-system into a new super-system can actually cost more than just building a whole new system from scratch. It all depends on how the original system for which that subsystem developed was documented. I can't speak to this case directly, but in general I have found a lot of "tribal knowledge" in legacy systems.
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Understood and point taken. Here's some info on the particular thruster in the article:
http://www.astronautix.com/r/r-40b.html
A thruster itself (not an entire propulsion system) is a relatively simple component (nozzle with some valves) that isn't difficult to integrate. Thrusters are made by a host of different manufacturers and it's common to select different ones even in the same platform product line, as long as performance requirements are met.
It ain't rocket science. Oh wait, it is, lol.
