The Webb space telescope is a scientific instrument, not a product. Science instruments are always absurdly expensive and difficult to build. This magic idea that things just get cheaper or easier over time without fail is just an overly reductive idea of how things progress.
"Careful" is expensive and space will always require "careful" because it is insanely difficult to engineer around. It's also wildly unforgiving.
People also thought landing on the moon shouldn't be so difficult, yet lots of independent agencies and organizations are finding out that, no, small and minor mistakes or oversights will just destroy all your planning. That attention to detail will always be expensive.
The Webb space telescope is a scientific instrument, not a product. Science instruments are always absurdly expensive and difficult to build. This magic idea that things just get cheaper or easier over time without fail is just an overly reductive idea of how things progress.
"Careful" is expensive and space will always require "careful" because it is insanely difficult to engineer around. It's also wildly unforgiving.
People also thought landing on the moon shouldn't be so difficult, yet lots of independent agencies and organizations are finding out that, no, small and minor mistakes or oversights will just destroy all your planning. That attention to detail will always be expensive.