> The reason it's bad to spend so much on astronaut safety is because the cost is so enormous and because the people at risk are very well-informed and participate voluntarily.
That 4% fatality rate would likely be much higher if safety was lower priority.
Since astronauts don't oversee the entire build process, nor all of the maintenance, nor do the review all of the source code, etc etc etc, they aren't really well informed.
I believe you mean to say they are well informed of the risks, but the risk (4% fatality rate) is only that low due to astronaut safety being a high priority.
Also, as far as I understand, astronauts are usually paid[1], so they participate voluntarily only insofar as I participate voluntarily at my job: sure, I choose to go, but it's not volunteering for tax purposes.
That 4% fatality rate would likely be much higher if safety was lower priority.
Since astronauts don't oversee the entire build process, nor all of the maintenance, nor do the review all of the source code, etc etc etc, they aren't really well informed.
I believe you mean to say they are well informed of the risks, but the risk (4% fatality rate) is only that low due to astronaut safety being a high priority.
Also, as far as I understand, astronauts are usually paid[1], so they participate voluntarily only insofar as I participate voluntarily at my job: sure, I choose to go, but it's not volunteering for tax purposes.
1. https://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/about/information/astro...