As we continue our progress in establishing volunteer teams to support non-engineering activities, I am continuously reminded that no matter how brilliant our engineers, we will not succeed without attending to legal, financial, media, and other non-technical matters. Fortunately, we not only have exceptional people working together within their teams, but the team leaders have established lines of communication between their respective teams. I have been pleased to see how individuals with certain specialties feel confident and capable to make suggestions to other teams whose responsibilities fall outside their own skill sets.

This reminds me of an example of how the cohesive team that was so successful during the DC-X project fifteen years ago was willing to listen to and learn from people outside their areas of expertise. During the DC-X Reunion in August, Henry Wichman told the story of a meeting involving himself, a group of students who were hired to design the passenger module for the future full-size Delta Clipper, and McDonnell Douglas managers. The engineers, cognizant of the need to save weight, had designed the vehicle with just one door on the side of the vehicle that would open to accept payload and passenger modules. A liberal arts student pointed out that, "You can't do that. What happens if the vehicle falls over on the side that has the door? Passengers won't be able to get out." As Henry told it, there was silence in the room for what seemed like an eternity, and then one of the engineers said, "You're right."

Learning to set aside one's own ego and hear and consider ideas from outside your own group, whether you accept them or not, is a hallmark of any successful endeavor. As our students from many disciplines work together, I see another value of the GLXP challenge taking shape, and I hope humanity will take this to the Moon and beyond... along with our brilliant engineering.
- Jeff Krukin