Difference between revisions of "3197: Cost Savings"
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
| β | {{incomplete|This page was created | + | {{incomplete|This page was created by an OVER-BUDGET ORBITER. Don't remove this notice too soon.}} |
| + | This comic depicts a ridiculous scheme, concocted by Cueball, to dupe various representatives at NASA into doing a menial task for him; specifically, he wants them to build an ordinary shed in his yard. The National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) is not associated with {{w|Spruce Goose|hobbyist carpentry}} and certainly cannot be conventionally ordered to build a shed on a needy citizen's property.{{Citation needed}} Thus, Cueball takes a circum approach, trying to mask his true intentions in a long-winded cost-cutting presentation about a proposed satellite launch. Initially, it appears he is suggesting various ways to improve the cost/hassle of launching a satellite into orbit, but soon the suggestions become less about making the satellite's construction and launch more efficient and more about constructing a random structure on the ground, each one getting closer and closer to essentially saying "Ditch the satellite idea and just build a shed in my yard". | ||
| + | |||
| + | The title text is a humorous reference to the many, many project delays and increased expenses that arise during the process of launching a space mission. It implies that Cueball has been attempting this scheme (which may have required the extensive effort and connections needed to even be prepared to be seen by the NASA project team with the initial red-herring proposal) for long enough that it mirrors the setbacks a team would experience if they were actually intending to send a satellite into orbit. The {{w|Timeline of the James Webb Space Telescope|James Webb Telescope}} is one such mission which was very delayed, as already mentioned in prior comics, notably [[2014: JWST Delays]]. | ||
==Transcript== | ==Transcript== | ||
{{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}} | {{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}} | ||
| + | :[Cueball is standing in front of a framed graph on a wall, pointing at it with a short stick. The graph is a bar graph with steadily decreasing bar heights. Hairy and Megan, seated, are looking on from behind a desk.] | ||
| + | :Cueball: By lowering the planned satellite orbit, we can reduce the size of the launch vehicle required. | ||
| + | :Cueball: We can reduce costs further by eliminating the satellite entirely in favor of an aerial platform. | ||
| + | :Cueball: Some equipment could be moved to a ground-based facility, reducing required aircraft time. | ||
| + | :Cueball: Additional savings could be... | ||
| + | |||
| + | :[Caption below the panel:] | ||
| + | :I'm trying to get NASA to build a shed in my backyard. | ||
{{comic discussion}}<noinclude> | {{comic discussion}}<noinclude> | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Comics featuring Megan]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Space]] | ||
Latest revision as of 18:43, 22 January 2026
| Cost Savings |
 Title text: Unfortunately, my scheme to trick NASA has now taken over a decade longer than planned and has run way over budget. |
Explanation[edit]
|
This is one of 62 incomplete explanations: This page was created by an OVER-BUDGET ORBITER. Don't remove this notice too soon. If you can fix this issue, edit the page! |
This comic depicts a ridiculous scheme, concocted by Cueball, to dupe various representatives at NASA into doing a menial task for him; specifically, he wants them to build an ordinary shed in his yard. The National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) is not associated with hobbyist carpentry and certainly cannot be conventionally ordered to build a shed on a needy citizen's property.[citation needed] Thus, Cueball takes a circum approach, trying to mask his true intentions in a long-winded cost-cutting presentation about a proposed satellite launch. Initially, it appears he is suggesting various ways to improve the cost/hassle of launching a satellite into orbit, but soon the suggestions become less about making the satellite's construction and launch more efficient and more about constructing a random structure on the ground, each one getting closer and closer to essentially saying "Ditch the satellite idea and just build a shed in my yard".
The title text is a humorous reference to the many, many project delays and increased expenses that arise during the process of launching a space mission. It implies that Cueball has been attempting this scheme (which may have required the extensive effort and connections needed to even be prepared to be seen by the NASA project team with the initial red-herring proposal) for long enough that it mirrors the setbacks a team would experience if they were actually intending to send a satellite into orbit. The James Webb Telescope is one such mission which was very delayed, as already mentioned in prior comics, notably 2014: JWST Delays.
Transcript[edit]
|
This is one of 37 incomplete transcripts: Don't remove this notice too soon. If you can fix this issue, edit the page! |
- [Cueball is standing in front of a framed graph on a wall, pointing at it with a short stick. The graph is a bar graph with steadily decreasing bar heights. Hairy and Megan, seated, are looking on from behind a desk.]
- Cueball: By lowering the planned satellite orbit, we can reduce the size of the launch vehicle required.
- Cueball: We can reduce costs further by eliminating the satellite entirely in favor of an aerial platform.
- Cueball: Some equipment could be moved to a ground-based facility, reducing required aircraft time.
- Cueball: Additional savings could be...
- [Caption below the panel:]
- I'm trying to get NASA to build a shed in my backyard.
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Anyone wanna store some items in my garage? They'll be there... forever! King Pando (talk) 22:41, 21 January 2026 (UTC)
Anybody know why the random explanation button bias towards the 3000's heavily?
- 20 manual iterations, beginning 20260122 1440Z. 0-999 25%, 1000-1999 30%, 2000-2999 40%, 3000-3197 5%, 3000-3999 projected 25%. n is too small, but I don't perceive a bias. 98.97.38.200 14:50, 22 January 2026 (UTC)
- I've also felt this 66.210.7.66 16:02, 22 January 2026 (UTC)
- See explain xkcd:Community portal/Miscellaneous#Random Explanation Button bias towards newer articles for some of the prior chat about this. 82.132.246.68 18:47, 22 January 2026 (UTC)
I first thought the joke that we could do anything StarLink does cheaper, simpler, more environmentally friendly and without risking Kessler syndrome by using terrestrial technology (i.e. cables and antennas) if we could just get our heads out of our asses. The shed punchline was a bit of a letdown. --Coconut Galaxy (talk) 07:40, 22 January 2026 (UTC)
- Saturn the Titan lives, and He has commanded us to create a ring system for Planet Earth so that He can feel more at home here. Recreant. 98.97.38.200 14:59, 22 January 2026 (UTC)
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