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About this quote

What does it mean?
Von Braun ironically dismisses responsibility for the consequences of rocket technology, highlighting bureaucratic compartmentalization.
In plain terms
Once rockets launch, the outcome doesn't matter to the engineer.
What can you take from it?
Specialization can lead to ignoring broader impacts.

Where it applies

  • engineering ethics discussions
  • project management

Putting it to work

  • evaluating team accountability

Questions to consider

  • Who owns the outcome of a project?
  • Can you separate work from impact?

Another view

Engineers often do bear moral responsibility for their creations.

More from Wernher von Braun

  1. An outlook through this peephole [that manned space flight had opened] at the vast mysteries of the universe should only confirm our belief in the certainty of…

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  2. It takes sixty-five thousand errors before you are qualified to make a rocket.

    Permalink to quote #25
  3. With every new answer unfolded, science has consistently discovered at least three new questions.

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