Simulations May Explain Loss of Beagle 2 Mars Probe

Posted by timothy on Thursday December 18, 2008 @09:17PM from the gremlins-are-everywhere dept.

chrb writes "Researchers at Queensland University have used computer simulations to calculate that the loss of the US$80 million British Beagle 2 Mars probe was due to a bad choice of spin rate during atmospheric entry, resulting in the craft burning up within seconds. The chosen spin rate was calculated by using a bridging function to estimate the transitional forces between the upper and lower atmosphere, while the new research relies on simulation models. Beagle 2 team leader Professor Colin Pillinger has responded saying that the figures are far from conclusive, while another chief Beagle engineer has said 'We still think we got it right.'"

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Re:How weird by Anonymous Coward · 2008-12-18 21:32 · Score: 5, Insightful

another chief Beagle engineer has said 'We still think we got it right.'
They got it right, yet the mission failed. What sort of weird mental block do these people have?
Something else might have gone wrong even tho the choice of spin rate was the correct one.