Is a Software Launch Like a Rocket Launch?

The minutes and hours leading up to the launch aren't very impressive. The rocket is slowly put into place. Equipment is checked and rechecked. Then all at once with a shuddering roar it happens.

Launching software systems can be very similar. First, good software requires detailed preparation. All possible scenarios must be examined , evaluated, implemented and tested. Secondly, regardless of the preparation when the rockets are ignited you never know exactly what's going to happen. Pieces shake loose, sometimes rockets even explode.

In the end the success of any kind of launch is based on the stability of the design and the preparation that went into it.