iNARTE Hub

In 1999, NASA lost an orbiter as one half of the engineers were using metric measurements while the other half were using imperial.

The Consequence:  After 286 days in space, the orbiter attempted to enter Mars orbit. Instead of the planned 140 miles (226 km) altitude, it came within 60 km (36 miles) - about 100 km closer than intended and 25 km below the safe operational limit. The spacecraft's propulsion system overheated and failed, and it likely burned up in the atmosphere, continuing on into an uncontrolled solar orbit 

My bets are that that error never happened again.

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Gina Schulz
Operations Coordinator
Exemplar Global
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A classic example of how lack of standardization and verification can lead to catastrophic consequences. One simple inconsistency in units destroyed a multi-million-dollar mission. It is a powerful reminder that procedures, communication, validation, and attention to detail are not bureaucracy - they are risk controls.

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Francisco J. Tapia Guerrero
ftapia@qualitascertification.com
www.linkedin.com/in/franktapiaguerrero
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