Re:cause of Mars Observer loss and other problems
on
First Man To Mars?
·
· Score: 1
Omigod - who is this? I know it's someone real, because you mentioned Tahoma, someone I tastefully kept out of my story. Wow. It's nice to have someone out of my past who remebers this. Please drop me a line at lgoldberg@green-electronics.com so we can reconnect.
And just for the record, the loss of Mars Observer was probably due to a fuel system malfunction - most likely the last-minute changeout of the stainless steel fule valves to tianium ones as a weight-saving measure. Seems that the actuation of the valve probably caused sparks that ignited the aforementioned vapors. Will supply the few details I have to anyone interested... Just write.
Sorry about the spelling of Solithane, I am, er, was an eletrical tech and only handled potting compounds on rare occasions. I always knew the stuff as "Blue Sol" but not its full name, and used it a few times for legitimate purposes, Since I had only basic skills with space-rated adhesives and compounds, I usually left those tasks to the mech techs. Had I known about the compound's toxicity - mentioned by an earlier poster - I'd have left the damned stuff in the freezer where it belonged and let the mechs deal with it all - except for potting up Ira. Thanks for the info - if I end up with a weird cancer, I'll know where it came from. LEE
Re:How serious is this article?
on
First Man To Mars?
·
· Score: 3, Informative
Good observation. The story is that since Mars Obsrver was not intended to land on Mars, it was excempted from the rigorous sterilization process that Viking, Sojurner, and other landers are required to undergo in observance of a United Nations protocol. We (GE and JPL) were however, required to file a "Planetary Protection Plan" which described how the program intended to guarantee we would keep Mars Observer out of contact with the Martian biosphere for several thousand years at minimum. If I recall properly, the plan includes a provision to re-boost the craft to a "safe" orbit in which it will not decay for a long time after its operational mission is completed. If you want details, I can put you in touch with the fellow who wrote the actual plan.
Hi Howzer - You have every right to think that this is just another urban myth, like the JATO-powered Car, or the scuba diver who ended up in the forest fire, but I'm on the level with this one. Your comments are well-reasoned and fair, and had I not acutally been involved with the project, I'd be leveling the same accusations.
There probably is no way I can convince you of this, but you, or anyone else can write me at lgoldberg@green-electronics.com to discuss the facts of the matter. I really worked on the Mars Observer mission and can tell you what I know and what did as a payload accommodations specialist at GE (the subcontractor to JPL for the MO bus), and let you be the judge for yourself.
Best, LEE
Slashdot Mirror
Omigod - who is this? I know it's someone real, because you mentioned Tahoma, someone I tastefully kept out of my story. Wow. It's nice to have someone out of my past who remebers this. Please drop me a line at lgoldberg@green-electronics.com so we can reconnect. And just for the record, the loss of Mars Observer was probably due to a fuel system malfunction - most likely the last-minute changeout of the stainless steel fule valves to tianium ones as a weight-saving measure. Seems that the actuation of the valve probably caused sparks that ignited the aforementioned vapors. Will supply the few details I have to anyone interested... Just write.
These are all fair questions - please see previous post....
Sorry about the spelling of Solithane, I am, er, was an eletrical tech and only handled potting compounds on rare occasions. I always knew the stuff as "Blue Sol" but not its full name, and used it a few times for legitimate purposes, Since I had only basic skills with space-rated adhesives and compounds, I usually left those tasks to the mech techs. Had I known about the compound's toxicity - mentioned by an earlier poster - I'd have left the damned stuff in the freezer where it belonged and let the mechs deal with it all - except for potting up Ira. Thanks for the info - if I end up with a weird cancer, I'll know where it came from. LEE
Good observation. The story is that since Mars Obsrver was not intended to land on Mars, it was excempted from the rigorous sterilization process that Viking, Sojurner, and other landers are required to undergo in observance of a United Nations protocol. We (GE and JPL) were however, required to file a "Planetary Protection Plan" which described how the program intended to guarantee we would keep Mars Observer out of contact with the Martian biosphere for several thousand years at minimum. If I recall properly, the plan includes a provision to re-boost the craft to a "safe" orbit in which it will not decay for a long time after its operational mission is completed. If you want details, I can put you in touch with the fellow who wrote the actual plan.
Hi Howzer - You have every right to think that this is just another urban myth, like the JATO-powered Car, or the scuba diver who ended up in the forest fire, but I'm on the level with this one. Your comments are well-reasoned and fair, and had I not acutally been involved with the project, I'd be leveling the same accusations. There probably is no way I can convince you of this, but you, or anyone else can write me at lgoldberg@green-electronics.com to discuss the facts of the matter. I really worked on the Mars Observer mission and can tell you what I know and what did as a payload accommodations specialist at GE (the subcontractor to JPL for the MO bus), and let you be the judge for yourself. Best, LEE