Random notes
I took these notes while reading the book. I finished the book but stopped taking notes. This book became the basis / inspiration for my blog post, why can’t biology move faster?
Elon just wants to get shit done.
What drives Elon’s strong conviction to make humanity multi-planetary? How has he achieved success against all odds?
Liftoff describes SpaceX’s early days and the journey to the Falcon-1 rocket’s successful launch.
SpaceX’s recipe for success
- Elon
- Deep pockets
- Engineering knowledge, extreme dedication (e.g. reading old Russian textbooks about rockets on flights to Kwaj)
- Ability to identify talent and move fast to recruit them
- Unique company culture
- 80-hour work weeks
- ”don’t talk about doing things, just do things”
- fail fast, iterate quickly, adapt as you go instead of focusing on theoretical research and planning
- Talent
- Key people / first hires: Hans Koenigsman (VP of Avionics), Chris Thompson (VP of Structures), Tom Mueller (VP of Propulsion), Gwynne Shotwell, Hans Koenigsmann (engineer)
- Hired recent college grads / young people who can afford to spend lots of time on work and don’t have have many other obligations