[robotresearcher]

2.5 million moving parts sounds unlikely. Parts, sure. Moving parts, I’m skeptical.

[pwndByDeath]

In a vehicle, all the parts are moving

[robotresearcher]

I’m gonna go with the conventional frame of reference: parts moving with respect to each other.

Otherwise we might as well say the ASML machine is in orbit around the galactic center.

[GuB-42]

There are situations where vehicles have a lot of parts moving with respect to each other, especially rockets.

[kens]

That claim is from NASA: https://www3.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/pdf/566250main_SHUTTLE...

[robotresearcher]

I see that. And I see it repeated all over. Still skeptical.

Googling for total part count also comes up with the 2.5M number. They move WRT Earth, but the vast majority do not move with respect to each other, is my guess.

For a sanity check comparison: Saturn V estimates are ~5 million total parts, and "tens of thousands" of moving parts. A ratio that sounds sort of normal.

[nqzero]

everything can be a moving part if you use enough hydrogen and oxygen

[alnwlsn]

I guess that depends on what is considered moving. A latch is, but is a vibration dampener? On launch, I bet a lot of parts are moving that you probably would not otherwise want to be.