Edison didn't have sophisticated computer modeling and hypersonic wind tunnels.
And it didn't cost taxpayers a billion dollars every time he tried.
True. Very true. Extremely true: It didn't cost the taxpayers anything because he was doing it on his own (well, with a team he paid for). Just like today, when most R & D that's worth doing is being done in the private sector.
Except for this mach-6 whirlygig.
Understand. But I think we do need to give the some room for error. The things they are trying to do are not easy.