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Software Error Likely Killed MGS Spacecraft

Posted by kdawson on from the off-by-one dept.

Aglassis writes "NASA investigators have determined that a software update performed in June of 2006 may have doomed the 10-year-old spacecraft. Apparently the software error caused the solar arrays to drive against a mechanical stop which then forced the spacecraft into safe mode. Unfortunately, after that the spacecraft's radiator was pointed at the sun which overheated the battery and destroyed it. Contact was lost with the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft in November 2006. NASA will form an internal review board to determine formally the cause of the loss of the spacecraft and what remedial actions are needed for future missions."

3 of 199 comments (clear)

  1. Don't believe it by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 5, Funny

    I don't believe it.
    Its most likely the Martian automated defense system setup just before we sent a probe and destroyed their civilisation.

    --
    liqbase :: faster than paper
  2. Battery by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    overheated the battery and destroyed it Have NASA been using Dell batteries?
  3. "Safe" mode? by Bazman · · Score: 5, Funny

    Funny definition of 'safe mode'. I'd get the main antenna pointing at the earth, the battery radiator pointing away from the sun, and the computer going 'what do I do know, smarty earthlings?' and waiting for a command.

    Maybe NASA's 'safe mode' just put 'safe mode' in the corners of all the returned images and did them in 8-bit colour...