Ground Test Journal

In aerospace, a ground test is a moment of truth. A moment where you test theory against reality. It is the moment where your calculations, prototypes, simulations and theory meet the friction of reality. It's the make a break point for a project.

That is what this journal is about. It's a space for serious builders, makers, and engineers. Those who want to build real things, not toys or gimmicks.

From nothing to something tangible

In the age of AI, the barrier to entry for new ideas and prototypes has never been lower. However, the barrier to reliable execution has never been higher. With many entry-level positions now closing, a gap is widening on the knowledge necessary to create real things that people can rely on.

Many of us struggle with taking our ideas and executing on them. Because of this, the ground test is a crucial milestone. It's pivot point, where you ask the question:

Does this system work reliably and is intended? Or, do we return to the drawing board?

A Holistic approach

Building real things requires a breadth of skills that traditional education often fails to deliver on. To pass the ground test, you must be willing to get into the weeds, yet also see the system as a whole. We'll do the same in this journal.

Ground Test explores the intersection of:

• Systems thinking: Understanding how the parts make up the whole.
• Engineering fundamentals: First principles that act as a compass.
• AI and Machine Learning: Leveraging the new frontier as a tool, not a crutch.
• The Management Layer: Navigating the projects and people that bring ideas to life.

In this new age of AI, skills go beyond just being a technical expert, you'll need a holistic set of skills.

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Whether you are an experienced engineer or a maker looking to go from hobbyist to professional, you are welcome here. We are a community of people who wake up excited to solve the hard problems.

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