In the Mars Climate Orbiter incident, what specific measurement disagreement caused the spacecraft's loss?
Answer
One engineering team used imperial units (pounds of force) and another used metric units (Newtons) in a critical calculation.
The $125 million spacecraft was lost because one group at NASA used pounds of force, while another used the metric unit of Newtons for a crucial calculation, causing the probe to enter the atmosphere at the wrong altitude.
#Videos
The Strange (Logical) Reason Americans Refuse the Metric System
Why Doesn't America Use the Metric System? - YouTube
Related Questions
Why did the US miss the early opportunity to adopt the metric system proposed by the French Revolution?What was the primary legal effect of the Metric Act of 1866?What crucial aspect limited the effectiveness of the Metric Conversion Act of 1975?What was the cited reason for the defunding of the U.S. Metric Board in 1982?In the Mars Climate Orbiter incident, what specific measurement disagreement caused the spacecraft's loss?What is the central obstacle to conversion for smaller domestic manufacturers serving only local markets?Which areas of American life have widely adopted SI units due to the necessity of global communication?How does the text characterize the cultural resistance to metrication among the general public?What friction point arises between older and younger workers in skilled trades regarding measurement systems?What term best describes the current, ongoing state of measurement usage in the United States?