https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=2601%3A647%3A4180%3ACFD0%3A875F%3ACF70%3AA777%3AB91F 2026-04-25T02:19:51Z User contributions MediaWiki 1.30.0 https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=3197:_Cost_Savings&diff=404116 2026-01-22T04:14:09Z

<p>2601:647:4180:CFD0:875F:CF70:A777:B91F: /* Explanation */</p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 3197<br /> | date = January 21, 2026<br /> | title = Cost Savings<br /> | image = cost_savings_2x.png<br /> | imagesize = 303x461px<br /> | noexpand = true<br /> | titletext = Unfortunately, my scheme to trick NASA has now taken over a decade longer than planned and has run way over budget.<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> {{incomplete|This page was created by an OVER-BUDGET ORBITER. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}<br /> This comic depicts a ridiculous scheme, concocted by Cueball, to dupe various representatives at NASA into doing a menial task for him; specifically, he wants them to build an ordinary shed in his yard. NASA, being the National Aeronautic and Space Administration, is not associated with hobbyist carpentry and certainly cannot be conventionally ordered to build a shed on a needy citizen's property. Thus, Cueball takes a sly approach, trying to mask his true intentions in a long-winded cost-cutting presentation about a proposed satellite launch. Initially, it appears he is suggesting various ways to improve the cost/hassle of launching a satellite into orbit, but soon the suggestions become less about making the satellite's construction and launch more efficient and more about constructing a random structure on the ground, each one getting closer and closer to &quot;Ditch the satellite idea and build a shed in my yard.&quot;<br /> <br /> The title text is a humorous reference to the many, many project delays and unforeseen expenses that arise during the process of sending a rocket into space. It implies that Cueball has been attempting this scheme for long enough that it mirrors the setbacks a team would experience if they were actually sending a satellite into orbit.<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> {{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}<br /> :[Cueball is standing in front of a framed graph on a wall, pointing at it with a short stick. The graph is a bar graph with steadily decreasing bar heights. Hairy and Megan, seated, are looking on from behind a desk.]<br /> :Cueball: By lowering the planned satellite orbit, we can reduce the size of the launch vehicle required.<br /> :Cueball: We can reduce costs further by eliminating the satellite entirely in favor of an aerial platform.<br /> :Cueball: Some equipment could be moved to a ground-based facility, reducing required aircraft time.<br /> :Cueball: Additional savings could be...<br /> <br /> :[Caption below the panel:]<br /> :I'm trying to get NASA to build a shed in my backyard.<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}&lt;noinclude&gt;<br /> <br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br /> [[Category:Space]]</div>

2601:647:4180:CFD0:875F:CF70:A777:B91F https://www.explainxkcd.com/wiki/index.php?title=3197:_Cost_Savings&diff=404115 2026-01-22T04:05:31Z

<p>2601:647:4180:CFD0:875F:CF70:A777:B91F: </p> <hr /> <div>{{comic<br /> | number = 3197<br /> | date = January 21, 2026<br /> | title = Cost Savings<br /> | image = cost_savings_2x.png<br /> | imagesize = 303x461px<br /> | noexpand = true<br /> | titletext = Unfortunately, my scheme to trick NASA has now taken over a decade longer than planned and has run way over budget.<br /> }}<br /> <br /> ==Explanation==<br /> {{incomplete|This page was created by an OVER-BUDGET ORBITER. Don't remove this notice too soon.}}<br /> This comic depicts a fictional scheme by Cueball to dupe various representatives at NASA into doing a menial task for him; specifically, building an ordinary shed in his yard. Initially, it appears he is suggesting various ways to improve the cost/hassle of launching a satellite into orbit, but soon the suggestions get more and more absurd, each one getting closer and closer to &quot;Ditch the satellite idea and build a shed in my yard.&quot;<br /> <br /> The title text is a humorous reference to the many, many project delays and unforeseen expenses that occur over the course of sending a rocket into space. It implies that Cueball has been attempting this endeavor to build a NASA shed for long enough that it mirrors the setbacks a team would experience if they were actually sending a satellite to orbit.<br /> <br /> ==Transcript==<br /> {{incomplete transcript|Don't remove this notice too soon.}}<br /> :[Cueball is standing in front of a framed graph on a wall, pointing at it with a short stick. The graph is a bar graph with steadily decreasing bar heights. Hairy and Megan, seated, are looking on from behind a desk.]<br /> :Cueball: By lowering the planned satellite orbit, we can reduce the size of the launch vehicle required.<br /> :Cueball: We can reduce costs further by eliminating the satellite entirely in favor of an aerial platform.<br /> :Cueball: Some equipment could be moved to a ground-based facility, reducing required aircraft time.<br /> :Cueball: Additional savings could be...<br /> <br /> :[Caption below the panel:]<br /> :I'm trying to get NASA to build a shed in my backyard.<br /> <br /> {{comic discussion}}&lt;noinclude&gt;<br /> <br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Cueball]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Hairy]]<br /> [[Category:Comics featuring Megan]]<br /> [[Category:Space]]</div>

2601:647:4180:CFD0:875F:CF70:A777:B91F