Re: The greatest failure of space exploration


Rusty wrote:
> kurille wrote:
> > Hi everyone,
> >
> > I'm looking for informations about the dummest mistakes in space
> > programs.
> > (Such as mix up miles and km for the Mars Climate Orbiter)
> >
> > If you could give me more examples, or links, I'll be pleased !
> >
> > Thank you in advance,
> >
> > Kurille
>
> It would be hard to make dumber mistakes than these:
>
> Ignoring o-ring damage on previous flights and launching Challenger in
> cold weather despite objections of engineers. Result: lost of shuttle
> and seven lives.
>
> Ignoring previous ET foam loss resulting in shuttle heatshield damage
> and continuing to launch shuttles until Columbia was lost. Result: lost
> of shuttle and seven lives.
>

Ranger 3 - Jan 26, 1962. Early U.S. lunar impact probe. Was to take
pictures of moon prior to impact and land an instrument capsule on the
moon. "Reversed command signals caused the spacecraft to pitch in the
wrong direction and the TM antenna to lose earth acquisition, and
mid-course correction was not possible."

http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/database/MasterCatalog?sc=1962-001A


Gemini 9A - ATDA target vehicle. May 1966. Gemini 9A was not able to
dock with a backup docking target because the payload shroud failed to
separate from the target vehicle. The person that usually connected the
launch shroud to Agena target vehicles was out sick. A backup crew
connected the shroud, but didn't have detailed instructions on how to
due so. "The shroud had not jettisoned because the lanyards had been
installed improperly with the loose ends taped down, due to
"insufficiently detailed" instructions."

http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/database/MasterCatalog?sc=1966-046A

- Rusty

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