Measurement problems can (and do) occur - sometimes with disastrous consequences - as part of even the most remarkable scientific endeavors, such as sending a satellite into space. To the surprise of the engineers, there was a height difference of 54 cm (21 in) between the two sides: Different measurements of sea level had been used (the North Sea vs. Four years later, two halves of a large bridge being constructed across the Rhine came together to connect Germany and Switzerland. Rather than beginning its mission, however, the satellite disintegrated upon entering the atmosphere because one software module made calculations in US customary units and fed them into a second module that assumed metric units. After a long and cold journey of 286 days, the Mars Climate Orbiter reached its destination on 23 September 1999.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |