The scope of the computer program in this reguard as I see it, is to get me somewhere in the neighborhood of a stable design as I envision the design. Then the design is built and tested (by wind tunnel or string test and/or actual launching
), and adjustments are made as necessary. In the old days, you had to have a feel for what would work before testing (or an unlimited bank account or lots of nose weights
), so I have no problem with the aid given by a design program.
However, if the design being created doesn't match what I envision and know to work (either by testing or by similar prior designs) I wonder if their is something I am missing or if their is a glitch in the program that needs to be worked out.
My biggest peeve is with the Wonks who believe just because the program allows certain design characteristics, that it is infallible in their application. I am not complaining about the RockSim program as much as I am about those who follow it blindly. To follow the analogy above, someone tells Dr. Fleming he can't use penicillin because the computer doesn't see it behaving that way.