[amsat-bb] Re: Phase 4 versus Eagle

[Robert McGwier]

Yet again, a statement based on no knowledge of the real situation.
MOST space failures are caused by exactly this kind of thing.  A wrench
left behind and falling and puncturing a tank.  Incomplete testing of
this or that and a SUPPOSITION that it was "Okay".  Satellites not
bolted down when everyone assumed it was and a $100,000,000 satellite
falls to the floor.  These space things are extremely complex and if
every system had to be tested to perfection, none could afford them.
The goal of a good trained space/spacecraft engineer is to design robust
systems that have the really supercritical things testable and the rest,
well, the rules for that are in the adjoining testing manual (the local
religious book, for prayer).

Bob


sco at sco-inc.com wrote:
> The failure of AO-40 was not a problem of "rocket science". It was 
> caused by human stupidity ... not writing down what had to be removed 
> before flight so if the only person who knew that info could not be 
> available their backup would.
> 
> Les
> 
> At 12:25 PM 12/13/2007, you wrote:
>> Les,
>>
>> Yes, they are aware of the fate of AO-40. They have had their own problems
>> over the years and they understand that this is rocket science.
>>
>> Rick
>> W2GPS
>> AMSAT LM2232
>>


-- 
AMSAT Director and VP Engineering. Member: ARRL, AMSAT-DL,
TAPR, Packrats, NJQRP, QRP ARCI, QCWA, FRC. ARRL SDR WG Chair
“An optimist may see a light where there is none, but why
must the pessimist always run to blow it out?” Descartes