Upside-Down Sensors Caused Proton-M Rocket Crash

Michi writes "According to Anatoly Zak, the crash of the Russion Proton rocket on 1 July was apparently caused by several angular velocity sensors having been installed upside down. From the source: 'Each of those sensors had an arrow that was supposed to point toward the top of the vehicle, however multiple sensors on the failed rocket were pointing downward instead.' It seems amazing that something as fundamental as this was not caught during quality control. Even more amazing is that the design of the sensors permits them to be installed in the wrong orientation in the first place. Even the simplest of mechanical interlocks (such as a notch at one end that must be matched with a corresponding projection) could have prevented the accident." A review of the quality control procedures used by the contractors responsible is underway.

Comments

Wrong hemisphere

[jovius]

Should have launched from Australia.

Re:In Soviet Russia

[RenderSeven]

Perhaps the thinking is, as long as the arrow isnt pointed at you it's probably safe.

heh

[wbr1]

In Soviet Russia, snesors installed correctly, rocket installed upside down.

Re:QA is not the problem

[LordLimecat]

Ive seen RAM modules installed backwards. "Wait!", you say, "Isnt there a notch which prevents that?" Well, yes, there WAS a notch...

Re:(The Real) Murphy's Law strikes again!

[akh]

If only they had labeled, with the arrow, the words "up", and put another arrow down, with the letters "dn" for "down", then none of this would have happened.

Except that "dn" upside-down is indistinguishable from "up". Murphy strikes again?