I have to agree with Sarge's remarks about the 'smugness' or perhaps hubris might be more appropriate? In any case I too have an uneasy feelinng about the program continuing without incident although I wish them well, its true that 50 years have passed since Apollo and this doesnt look much more of an accomplishment, all things considered.

However anything is better than nothing and I wonder why SpaceX didn't go for it first? Oh and Fred, its not a given that the rocket be made of aluminnum in fact quite recently I saw a video about some company which is using steel for its rocket fuselage but I forget the name or country responsible. Isnt SpaceX using stainless steel? Anyway my remark about rust was quite innocent I had no clue about the insulation and just thought that it looked like mild surface rust so no big deal.

Dont despair o faithful reader I'm in the process of rethinking my story not giving up on it.