Open AccessNASA reports findings on Martian mission mishap
Author(s) -
Showstack Randy
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/eo080i047p00562-01
Subject(s) - orbiter , mars exploration program , astrobiology , martian , aeronautics , exploration of mars , environmental science , mars landing , meteorology , aerospace engineering , engineering , geography , physics
NASAs Climate Orbiter and Polar Lander were meant to work as a team, with the Polar Lander relaying data to the Earth via the Orbiter.That scenario was altered dramatically when the $125 million Orbiter was apparently destroyed when it approached Mars too closely on September 23. With the Polar Lander scheduled to touch down on the planet on December 3, NASA ordered several reports to investigate the incident and provide some assurance that the mistakes of the Climate Orbiter mission will not be repeated. On November 10, a NASA review panel—the Mars Climate Orbiter Mission Failure Investigation Board—confirmed earlier reports that the initial error that led to the crash was a technician's failure to convert English measurement units into metric units.