Homestead mailing list

[Don Bowen <don.bowen AT earthlink.net>]

At 1/21/2005, you wrote:
> -- University of Idaho professor David Atkinson, whose years of work on an
> experiment to measure the winds on Saturn's moon Titan came to naught because
> someone forgot to turn it on.

One of the first video cameras sent into orbit failed to show any 
images.  A diligent search for the problem found that no where in the 
prelaunch check list did it say to remove the lens cover.

The first French Ariane 4 rocket exploded 47 seconds after launch.  A 
diligent search found nothing until someone noticed a worker using a red 
rag to sop up a drip that continued until heat from the launch expanded the 
metal to make the seal.  The red rag prevented oil from dripping into a 
stage one cooling fan.

Us wet ware being what we are, there are plenty of those examples around.

Don Bowen
Awl Knotted Up Woodworking
Valley Center, CA             http://www.braingarage.com