NASA buying spare parts on eBay

[southsider2k5]

Could this actually be our government being innovative and using resources wisely? Not buying $500 hammers?

 

I look at life from both sides now, from near and far . . .

Not true in the space shuttles case anyway. They are buying parts that are no longer in productions, because they have never changed the technology. No one makes these parts, so it is impossible to enter into an expensive contract for them.

[Texsox]

Not true in the space shuttles case anyway.  They are buying parts that are no longer in productions, because they have never changed the technology.  No one makes these parts, so it is impossible to enter into an expensive contract for them.

Actually there are semiconductor foundrys that can reproduce older designs for a price. It is expensive, rights have to be secured, the proper wafer production started, etc.

 

Once every couple years we get into an area that I have more than a casual knowledge.

[southsider2k5]

Actually there are semiconductor foundrys that can reproduce older designs for a price. It is expensive, rights have to be secured, the proper wafer production started, etc.

 

Once every couple years we get into an area that I have more than a casual knowledge.

Well then you have answered another question very quickly. It is cost prohibitive.

[Texsox]

Well then you have answered another question very quickly.  It is cost prohibitive.

Which was my point. Is it such a bad thing that NASA is using common sense and what the private sector would do in this situation?

 

I also assume they are sending these chips for testing before using.