nines
n.— «What level of reliability do you want to design into the satellite, and verify via ground testing? 99%? Or three nines? Or four?» —“Re: German conference highlights doubts about ESA’s manned space plans” by Kieran A. Carroll Usenet: sci.space Mar. 12, 1991. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Astronauts returning from space say they experience what’s called the overview effect, a new understanding of the fragility of our planet and our need to reflect on what humans all share as a species. A book about the end of the universe...
The German phrase Der Bus hält an jeder Milchkanne literally translates as “The bus stops at every milk can,” and refers to a bus that stops at every little out-of-the-way town. This is part of a complete episode.
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