Rokect science at the end of the day is just fancy plumbing with a ton of really easy but extremely complex math added to it. Leaks are the one thing that almost every single mission to space has had to dealt with, and helium is one of the hardest substances to contain, second only to hydrogen.

[–] elbarto777@lemmy.world 5 points 5 months ago (1 children)

really easy but extremely complex math added to it.

Elaborate. How can math be really easy but extremely complex at the same time?

[–] dustyData@lemmy.world 6 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Difficulty and complexity are two different and independent variables. Rocket science math is made of simple operations and principles but compounded and mixed into complex configurations.

Think about juggling. Throwing one ball into the air and catching it back is easy and simple. But juggling three balls at the same time is a complex operation, it is made of individually easy motions, but it is complex to do three or more at the same time in a coordinated and harmonious way.

Rocket science IRL is that but 100 fold.

[–] elbarto777@lemmy.world -3 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

I disagree with that. I understand what you're saying, but that doesn't justify the weird "easy but conplex" statement.

That's like saying that differential equations are both easy and complex because it involves adding (a simple math operation), and calculus (infinite sums.)

The compounding of "simple" operations is also math. You have to know what you're doing. Not everyone can do this, or learn it in a carefree afternoon. So rocket science math is far from easy.

Edit: downvoters, are any of you a mathematician? Don't just downvote. School me!

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 2 points 5 months ago

helium is one of the hardest substances to contain, second only to hydrogen

I think helium is harder to contain. Although hydrogen is lighter atom, it is also a larger atom due to lower nuclear charge (Z effective). Hydrogen is also a diatomic molecule, whereas helium is a single atom. I think the only thing helium has going for it is that it doesn't easily dissolve in and embrittle metals. But helium can fit through any gap hydrogen can.

[–] NocturnalMorning@lemmy.world -3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Rokect science at the end of the day is just fancy plumbing with a ton of really easy but extremely complex math added to it.

One of us went to school for this stuff, and I can tell it wasn't you.

[–] dustyData@lemmy.world 3 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Thanks for the totally uncalled for and unprovoked personal insult. But the honor is not mine, it's a phrase by Chris Hackett, writer for Popular Science, artist, maker and science communicator. But thanks for pointing out you are the boring idiot in the room. It makes it easier to ignore you.

[–] NocturnalMorning@lemmy.world -2 points 5 months ago (1 children)

I'm not insulting you, it's just clear you don't know what you're talking about or you wouldn't use the words easy when describing rockets.

And if it's a phrase a science communicator is using, he's not doing anybody any favors by saying that.

[–] dustyData@lemmy.world 2 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

Reading comprehension: 0

Are you sure you have a degree at anything, if it is math related I would understand, you obviously suck at language.

Social skills: nonexistent.