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Satellite Tip-Over Mishap Due to Missing Bolts

Posted by michael on from the all-the-king's-horses-and-all-the-king's-men dept.

cradle writes "On September 6th, the $239 Million Dollar NOAA N-Prime Satellite toppled over and crashed to the floor of Lockheed Martin Space Systems' factory in Sunnyvale, CA, as it was being repositioned to replace an instrument. Today NASA released their report on the cause of the accident. It seems somebody forgot to check whether it was bolted down: '... during an operation that required repositioning (rotating) the TIROS NOAA N-PRIME spacecraft from a vertical to a horizontal position, the spacecraft slipped from the Turn-Over Cart (TOC) and fell to the floor. The spacecraft fell because the TIROS adapter plate to which it was mounted was not bolted to the TOC adapter plate with the required 24 bolts. The bolts were removed from the TOC by another project while the cart was in a common staging area, an activity which was not communicated to the NOAA project team.'"

8 of 76 comments (clear)

  1. I bet that wise guy is bolting now by Johnny+Doughnuts · · Score: 4, Funny

    I bet the wise guy who decided to do that is 'bolting' right now. ;D

  2. I'm sorry. by JVert · · Score: 3, Funny

    I can't be expected to show up for school every day. So I get the flu and miss one day.

    Who knew "Lug nut day" would be soo important?

  3. Re:So... what they said originally? by JVert · · Score: 4, Funny

    http://images.spaceref.com/news/2003/9.6.2003_01.l rg.jpg
    This time we are pretty sure it was the guy on the left. What do you think he's got behind his back?

  4. Re:So... what they said originally? by CheshireCatCO · · Score: 4, Funny

    I keep expecting to see little ruby slippers sticking out from under the spacecraft, but I have a weird mind.

  5. What mama learnt ya... by Picass0 · · Score: 4, Funny

    You're inside or outside. Stop running through the door. We're not trying to air condition the whole street.

    Rinse off your dishes when you're done eating.

    Don't sass back to your teacher.

    Brush your teeth before bed.

    Put things back where you found them.

    JUMPIN' JESUS, PUT THE FUCKING BOLTS BACK IN THE 230 MILLION DOLLAR SATELLITE!!!

  6. LaForge! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    More power to the structural integrity field!

  7. Re:So... what they said originally? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
    and also writes recommendations on what to do about the problems they find.

    Cause: Bolts not holding satellite down

    Recommendation: Put bolts in before turning satellite upside down.

    How big was NASA's budget this year?

  8. Bush comments on mishap, says it's okay by jerde · · Score: 1, Funny

    In remarks earlier today, President Bush shrugged off the mishap, explaining, "Setbacks like this in the space program are to be expected. It's hard work! How can you expect them to succeed if you criticize their mistakes?"

    --
    INsigNIFICANT