Looks like Lockheed left a cleaning rag in a fuel line of the Air Forces 2 billion communication satellite

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/01/satellite-rescue/


It's amazing us humans get anything into space <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Quality control and low bidder...

Interesting reading the comments about the incident.

While they claim 5 more are on track to be launched, I am leaning towards them launching a few additional to cover potential failures...

In the end, contractor screwed up and will be paid to fix the problem.

What's another billion or two added to the multi-trillion debt?? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

The blockage ô[color:"red"]was most likely [/color] caused by a small piece of cloth inadvertently left in the line during the manufacturing process.

That's a statement of no merit and you, of all people, should know better than to say it.

Also since when are communication satellite put out to low bidders?

I do have dated credentials as Contracting Officer Technical Representative (US Army and US Navy cert).

And, I did work for a govt contracting office.

Low bidder wins the contract. And, often quality control is a big factor in rework and cost over-runs.

BTDT. The space program has had a remarkable string of successes. That is when this type of error surfaces, it is notable. If the likely cause is a piece of cloth, it will by impossible to prove without a tear down and inspection.

In the end, an error did occur; an error that was probably preventable. And, it is probably an error that will not be repeated.

The unfortunate reality is the error will cost the tax-payer more than the prime and sub contractors.

Chalk this up to the Hubble fiasco that needed to be fixed in space with "glasses" in order to perform correctly.

How about the premature demise of Sky-Lab???

Heat tiles falling off the space shuttle??

Space shuttle o-ring issue???

I smell a contracting officer - vendor war <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

I've been at a few military R&D exercises recently. Anytime there is talk between the military and vendors the military guys goes "this is a request, not a order and I'm not a contracting officer" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Been in a few of them myself!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Yeah, there's always that field grade officer slinkin' around who's fixin' to retire, jiggin' for a job. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" />

"How would you like to sit strapped on top of several million pounds of high explosive wrapped in tin foil, built by the lowest bidder?"

attributed to Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom, RIP, January, 1967, in an alcohol fueled dialog in a bar outside Cape Canaveral, FL.

Nothing changes, much...