It was an illustrative example, but this is true for even things that are much more mundane. Maybe you'll come back and say that this is on builders or engineers taking shortcuts, but we could draw the analogy to programmers not using formal verification systems[0].

  > But then again, comparing rockets to software is unfair. Rockets have a finite scope.

You are literally talking to someone who worked in that space and now works in software. How confident are you that you know more about that space than someone with years of professional experience? I'll add that I also have a degree in physics. My shift to software was through modeling and simulation of engineering designs. I'm sorry, I think you are overestimating your knowledge about rocket science. I'm pretty sure even in Russia they have "it's not rocket science" (or some equivalent) jokes.

I promise you, your years of expertise in software makes you an expert in software, distinguishing you significantly from other experts. But I also promise you that this is true for any profession. Being an expert in physics doesn't make one automatically an expert in software. But the same is true in the other direction. You need to get your ego checked if you think differently.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formal_verification