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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."

5 of 199 comments (clear)

  1. MGS? How about some fucking clearer headlines by DJCacophony · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Who would have thought that metal gear solid had a spacecraft?

    --
    Slow Down, Cowboy! It's been 60 minutes since you last successfully posted a comment.
  2. Don't Worry by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    NASA's got a list of ways to colonize the moon. Once those are achieved, this MGS business will just blow over ...

  3. This is why Automatic Updates gets turned off by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    It's one of the first things I do on a new install.

  4. what's the alternative? by jihadi_schwartz · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Ever notice the "beat the rush and see it early" link at the top of slashdot when a new story is about to come out?

    Sounds good, doesn't it? To be able to view the pages linked to in the article before the tens of thousands of other slashbots click to view them.

    Did it ever occur to you that you're taking part in cyber-terrorism?

    That's right: Slashdot's editors are cyber-terrorists. They coordinate a DOS against small websites, and they attempt to collect moeny from people who wish to be spared the effects of said DOS. Terrorism, plain and simple.

    You can fight this and other crimes by slashdot's editors by joining anti-slash. Anti-slash is committed to forcing the editors to own up to their numerous crimes against the geek community. Until our demands are met, we will relentlessly discredit them as a news service through trolling and other means.

    Also, props to poopbot and the alan thicke troll. We remember your accomplishments.

    In sacred jihad,

    jihadi_31337

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    (_) o

  5. Windows Software? by StumpMan · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Microsoft Validation required. Please click the Continue button to begin Windows validation.