Advances are not linear, and especially not from shot to shot. A LOT of thinking goes into how some of the shots seemed to do better than the current average, and the diagnostic suite of instruments is designed to produce several ways to double check one or more results. Then comes an AHA! moment, some more experiments based on altering one or more variables, some more test shots, and perhaps a trip to PPPL, and perhaps a meatier update. Some months or quarters. Hopefully. Patience and determination are required. Keep up the great work, gang!
