<VV> Why we lose spacecraft--not Corvair

[Kirby Smith]

Huh?  If you are referring to a Mars probe that was lost due to the use 
of incorrect engine impulse parameters, the miscommunication was
between NASA and a US company (forget which, Boeing or Lockheed Martin 
most likely).  I suspect this was the result of the new NASA
management at the time who claimed NASA was too pale, too male, and too
stale, so the experienced guys were pushed out.  Many colleges only 
teach the rationalized MKS system, and the less pale, less male, and 
less stale recent graduates may not have been aware that the US 
aerospace industry, and MEs in many other US industries, still use the 
English system of units.  Anyone with experience would have at least asked.

kirby


Chuck Kubin wrote:
> 

> 
> 
> While working the tool corral at the now-defunct Home Base chain, a
> guy came in wanting a metric tape measure. Right after I told him we
> didn't carry one, he brought over one with an engineer's scale,
> screaming long and loud about what a moron I was. I was obviously an
> idiot, because right there in his hand was a tape broken down to
> 10ths of an inch.
> 
> We must remember why we lost a spacecraft a couple years back. As one
> WOULD expect, Euro scientists were working in meters. Even if it
> isn't a common thing to do, some American genius spelled the same
> specs out in yards. 3+ inches per yard times the distances of space
> means we missed an entire planet by a lot. Yes, this IS rocket
> science.
> 
> Chuck Kubin
> 

>