In my opinion (and this is partially based on observations in a technology discussion between NASA and my former company), they are not very metric-literate, don't really want to switch to metric, and will ALWAYS pull enough "reuse" of their asses to write an exception. This exception on a "new shuttle replacement" will generate 30 years of future exceptions because everything for the next 30 years will be flying on an English bird. I think their metric policy is a crock, and we will NEVER see them really use metric. Are there any pure-metric programs at NASA or is every one riddled with english exceptions? I suspect the latter, but have no proof. I think they design a lot in english, then convert it to metric if required by management.
--- On Mon, 6/1/09, Pat Naughtin <[email protected]> wrote: From: Pat Naughtin <[email protected]> Subject: [USMA:45169] Re: NASA Going English To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]> Date: Monday, June 1, 2009, 2:34 PM Dear All, Another reference to NASA's recent decision: http://www.nasawatch.com/archives/2009/06/nasa_finds_the.html Cheers, Pat Naughtin Author of the forthcoming book, Metrication Leaders Guide. PO Box 305 Belmont 3216, Geelong, Australia Phone: 61 3 5241 2008 Metric system consultant, writer, and speaker, Pat Naughtin, has helped thousands of people and hundreds of companies upgrade to the modern metric system smoothly, quickly, and so economically that they now save thousands each year when buying, processing, or selling for their businesses. Pat provides services and resources for many different trades, crafts, and professions for commercial, industrial and government metrication leaders in Asia, Europe, and in the USA. Pat's clients include the Australian Government, Google, NASA, NIST, and the metric associations of Canada, the UK, and the USA. See http://www.metricationmatters.com for more metrication information, contact Pat at [email protected] or to get the free 'Metrication matters' newsletter go to: http://www.metricationmatters.com/newsletter to subscribe. On 2009/05/30, at 11:16 AM, Pat Naughtin wrote: Dear John, Is this relevant — http://tmo.jpl.nasa.gov/progress_report/authguides.htm — ? In these NASA Author Guidelines for The IPN Progress Report they say: Units of Measure: All measurements must be in metric only, with no English units in parentheses. Exception: components specified in English units; for example, antenna mechanical components. In such cases, specify dimensions in English units, followed by metric in parentheses. Cheers, Pat Naughtin On 2009/05/30, at 9:11 AM, John M. Steele wrote: Unbelievable. http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=31353 Quoted from link: Subject: New Management Directive on Units All, You've all heard the news that we're going back to English as the primary unit of measure. Attached is the draft Management Directive. We're planning on bring this MD to the CxCB on 6/5/09. Please let me know if you have any issues.
