[amsat-bb] Re: Phase 4 versus Eagle

[Edward Cole]

Les,

Not stupidity, because I saw NASA commit the same kind of errors (km 
vs miles?).  Every spacecraft command signal at Goldstone was 
confirmed by a second person (or more) before transmission.  Why? 
because people make mistakes.

It is a failure in procedures.  Any critical operation should not 
rely on a single person or action.  Every step should have 
oversight.  Of course, Monday morning quarterbacks can always see 
clearly.  Not having been there and not knowing the preparations or 
planning effort - I only speculate.  Its spilled milk - let it go.

Learning from error, that is what is needed.  Performing exhaustive 
project reviews.  This is something my current employer does a lot 
of.  We debrief everything (and everyone) to death.  I think we get 
better at what we do in the process.

Experience and Expertise come at the expense of failure.

BTW I troubleshoot and repair things for a living (wrote failure 
analysis trees on the F-14).  Final analysis - never assume - check again.

73 Ed - KL7UW

At 10:53 AM 12/13/2007, 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
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: sco at sco-inc.com [mailto:sco at sco-inc.com]
> >Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2007 12:15 PM
> >To: Rick Hambly (W2GPS)
> >Cc: amsat-BB
> >Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: Phase 4 versus Eagle
> >
> >
> >after AO-40 blew I would find it hard to believe that they would
> >trust the success of their mission with another AO40 type sat
> >onboard. Are they aware of our past track record?
> >
> >Good if they let us.
> >
> >Les
> >
> >At 10:08 AM 12/13/2007, you wrote:
> > >Les,
> > >
> > >Intelsat has already told me that it is OK to attach a satellite with
> >motor,
> > >tank and fuel. In fact, they offered to fuel our satellite with the excess
> > >fuel from filling their own tanks.
> > >
> > >Rick
> > >W2GPS
> > >AMSAT LM2232
> > >
> > >
> > >-----Original Message-----
> > >From: amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces at amsat.org] On
> > >Behalf Of sco at sco-inc.com
> > >Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2007 12:28 AM
> > >To: Andrew Glasbrenner
> > >Cc: amsat-BB
> > >Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Phase 4 versus Eagle
> > >
> > >
> > >I doubt that would ever happen. If I was the CEO of the launch sat i
> > >would never let an "amateur" rocket motor hitch a ride on my multi
> > >million dollar bird. Just like NASA won't let us do it.
> > >
> > >If you can think of a way for us to get from GTO without a motor and
> > >fuel then it might happen.
> > >
> > >Les W4SCO
> > >www.scoincsoftware.com
> > >
> > >
> > >At 10:08 PM 12/12/2007, you wrote:
> > > >One of the possibilities I have not seen relayed well from the meetings
> >to
> > > >general knowledge is that it may be possible for Intelsat to 
> attach Eagle
> > >to
> > > >one of their satellites, and drop us off in GTO on their way 
> to GEO. This
> > > >possibility alone is worth working this opportunity out to it's
> >conclusion.
> > > >
> > > >It has become very apparent to me that we will not fund a HEO solely on
> >our
> > > >current membership donations. Ever. We have to go for the 
> outside funding
> > > >Tom mentioned, and the best way to do that is a simple, tool-like
> > > >application like a GEO, geared heavily towards EMCOMM. Too many of us
> >have
> > > >taken the wait and see approach when it comes to supporting a HEO
> >project.
> > > >The money has to come first, then the satellite gets built and launched,
> > >not
> > > >the other way around.
> > > >
> > > >73, Drew KO4MA
> > >
> > >_______________________________________________
> > >Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
> > >Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> > >Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>
>_______________________________________________
>Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
>Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
>Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb