Why SpaceX Front End Engineers Have a Unique Challenge
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Chapter 1: The Envy Factor
When I learned that SpaceX employs Chromium and JavaScript for the user interface of their Dragon Capsule, I couldn't help but think it might be the most straightforward front-end development job out there. It’s a bit tongue-in-cheek, of course; developing software is complex, regardless of the platform or language used.
Having previously overseen the web frontend team for Google Meet, a real-time video communication tool, I present a playful comparison between the two environments.
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Section 1.1: User Expertise
Front-end engineers at SpaceX are likely to serve an audience with impressive qualifications, potentially more advanced degrees than their own. For instance, the first Crew Dragon flight featured astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley, both of whom boast remarkable academic backgrounds and military experience.
In contrast, at Google, we often rely on feedback from a diverse group of users during testing phases to fine-tune our UI features. This includes conducting A/B tests to gauge performance, often leading to significant redesigns based on feedback.
At Google Meet, we expend considerable effort on aesthetic changes, such as layout adjustments and color modifications, which not only add to the engineers' workload but also demand more from users' machines. A notable instance occurred when a new Google Pixelbook launch nearly faltered due to poor Meet performance caused by a design issue.
In SpaceX, however, if an astronaut requests a button's placement, they likely receive immediate compliance without the need for extensive testing or experimentation.
Section 1.2: Scaling Challenges
A crucial skill for software engineers involves predicting and managing system load. At Google, this capability is typically seen at the senior or staff level. The rapid surge in usage of Meet during the COVID-19 lockdown exemplified this, as we faced a 30-fold increase in traffic almost overnight.
While our front-end team had adequate server capacity, the real challenge lay in scaling backend services and dependencies. In contrast, I suspect the user scaling for the SpaceX Dragon Capsule UI is minimal, perhaps just one or a few systems, given the controlled environment they operate in.
Chapter 2: Browser Limitations
SpaceX engineers only need to ensure their application operates on a specific version of Chromium, likely a tailored variant. Meanwhile, Google Meet must be compatible with multiple browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and even Internet Explorer 11, which posed its own set of challenges.
The varying rendering engines and WebRTC support across these browsers made development complex, particularly when maintaining compatibility with an outdated browser like IE11, which required a workaround to accommodate its lack of WebRTC capabilities.
The video titled "On How Your Brain is Conspiring Against You Making Good Software" explores the cognitive hurdles faced by developers, which aligns with the complexities discussed here.
Section 2.1: Mobile Browser Issues
The pandemic also led to an uptick in usage from devices like the iPad, which masquerades as a desktop computer in many scenarios. This caused complications with how links were opened and rendered in mobile environments.
SpaceX front-end engineers, however, may not encounter such issues, as their applications likely have a more streamlined user experience.
Section 2.2: Permission Dynamics
For Google Meet to function properly, explicit permissions are required to access the camera and microphone. We invested significant resources into ensuring new users could smoothly grant these permissions.
In contrast, SpaceX can verify permissions before a launch, ensuring that the Dragon Capsule UI operates without any glitches during critical communications.
Section 2.3: Localization Challenges
When Google Meet launched in 2017, it initially supported 48 languages. By 2020, this number grew to 60, bringing a host of localization challenges, such as adjusting layouts for longer translations or managing pluralization for different languages.
For SpaceX, it’s likely that their user interface is primarily in English, eliminating many of these complexities.
Section 2.4: Accessibility Considerations
While the astronauts are likely not visually impaired, accessibility remains a concern in software development. Google has extensive guidelines for creating accessible applications, ensuring that all users can navigate the UI effectively.
SpaceX engineers may find themselves less burdened by such considerations, which simplifies their development process.
Chapter 3: External Factors
Google’s Meet relies on continuous updates from Chrome and WebRTC, which can sometimes introduce unexpected bugs. Developers must navigate these changes carefully, as they can affect functionality and user experience.
SpaceX, on the other hand, likely exercises more control over the updates they implement, minimizing disruptions.
Conclusion: The Complexity of Front-End Development
In essence, front-end development at Google, or any high-level professional environment, is a multifaceted challenge. Engineers must juggle various browsers, devices, languages, accessibility issues, and external factors.
Next time you encounter a front-end engineer, take a moment to recognize the breadth of their work. While this article doesn’t aim to downplay the achievements at SpaceX, it highlights the differences between a regulated web environment like theirs and the more chaotic landscape faced by Google Meet.
To the SpaceX team and astronauts, best wishes and safe travels!