Thomas Zurbuchen, then head of NASA's Science Mission Directorate, describes the operational frequency of collision avoidance maneuvers in orbit.
Assertion Supported
Zurbuchen: Avoidable James Webb Space Telescope mistakes cost taxpayers $800 million
“During that time, as well as the year before, this team was so, had such challenges that it was making mistakes that cost the taxpayer of the United States, eight hundred million dollars. The mistakes themselves cost six hundred million dollars because of lack…”
Opinion
Zurbuchen: Extraterrestrial life in the universe is very likely
“First of all, I, Believe it's very likely, right? I mean, as a scientist, the answer must be, I don't know.”
Prediction Open · timeframe Apr 2058
Dr. Z: Humans will travel to Mars within his lifetime
“I think we will go to Mars with humans in my lifetime, for sure.”
Prediction Not checkable as stated
Zurbuchen: Space and asteroid mining will happen within our lifetime
“No, I think this is our lifetime kind of issue, the mining calling.”
Insight
Thomas Zurbuchen: Claiming aerospace projects are low-risk exposes your incompetence
“What I really hate, if you really want to tick me off, come show up and tell me everything is low risk. That makes me believe you haven't understood your job, right? Don't make me laugh. Don't make me feel good. Make me feel scared and then make me feel comfor…”
Insight
Thomas Zurbuchen: Pain-averse leaders cause organizations to hide critical risks
“Some leaders don't sleep well if they have problems. You know, so they have pain aversion. It's a big leadership weakness, like, you know, to not be able to carry worries with them, you know, and those worries pulling them down so, you know, that the whole org…”