References & Sources

Math error equals loss of Mars orbiter

NASA last week learned the agony of de-feet: The loss of the $125 million Mars Climate Orbiter occurred because key data weren’t converted from English units—pounds and feet—to the metric system.

References:

1999. NASA’s Mars Climate Orbiter believed to be lost. NASA Press Release (Sept. 23).

1999. Mars Climate Orbiter team finds likely cause of loss. NASA Press Release (Sept. 30).

Further Readings:

Cowen, R. 1999. NASA loses Mars Climate Orbiter. Science News 156(Oct. 2):214.

Sources:

Carl Pilcher
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
300 E Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20546-0001

From Science News, Vol. 156, No. 15, October 9, 1999, p. 229. Copyright © 1999, Science Service.