More info on this one. This owned is posted all over my workplace since these guys were doing the exact same job I do. That aluminum ring on the bottom of the spacecraft is called the Spacecraft Adaptor and it mates to the 3rd stage of the rocket or to that white ring you see. I beleive what happened is one crew was just finishing up their shift and removed the fasteners that hold the adaptor to the work dolly. Their shift was up and they left and the next guys came on and didn't check for the bolts and went to roll the bird over to horizontal and "clunk". We call it the "drop test" at work.



NASA, NOAA & Lockheed Martin Investigate Satellite Accident

On September 6, while performing work on the NOAA-N Prime spacecraft, being prepared to launch in 2008 for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the satellite was dropped.

Lockheed Martin, the contractor in charge of the construction and test of the satellite in Sunnyvale, Calif., NASA and NOAA formed teams to investigate the accident and assess impact. The 14-foot spacecraft was about three feet off the ground in an upright stance, when it slipped from a fixture, as it was being turned from a vertical to horizontal position.

"NASA and NOAA are understandably concerned about this accident, because the NOAA-N Prime spacecraft is vital to the continuity of the polar-orbiting environmental satellite program. We are waiting for an assessment of the damage from the investigation teams. We will have a better idea of the extent of the impact on our satellite programs when the results are available," said retired Navy Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D, undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator.

NOAA's Satellite and Information Service operates two polar-orbiting operational environmental satellites (POES), which are critical in monitoring weather and climate.

NOAA-N Prime is under guard, and Lockheed Martin and NASA have secured all records.

NASA develops the POES for NOAA on a reimbursable basis. NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md, performs program management for the development of the satellites.

 

No kidding! I wondered what happened there I was actually at NASA Goddard Hitchhiker testing building and saw vacuum chambers, shake tables, and the room for vibration test. Never seen the "drop test", thank heavens!

 

"Of course, Bob, you realise that this will have to be deducted from your pay..."

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by TrojanHorse

 

You guys remember this whackjob?

 

This is my favorite of all time

 

I'll contribute too..

 

That should be against forum rules Tedow!

 

That kitty doesn't look owned, he is in attack position.