NASA Genesis Mission Failure
Andrew Slimmon
SID: 200365261
University of Regina 1.0: Introduction
On August 8, 2001, the Genesis probe was launched at Cape Canaveral, Florida with the primary objective of retrieving samples of solar wind to be returned to Earth. These samples were intended to provide data including the chemical and isotopic composition of solar wind, which would help scientists understand how our solar system was formed(reference). When the probe’s drogue parachute failed to open during re-entry on September 8, 2004, NASA unleashed its Mishap Investigation Board to create a detailed report regarding why the Genesis Mission failed.
1.1 Objective
The purpose of Genesis was to collect samples of solar wind to be returned to Earth for study(reference). This data would assist scientists in understanding the formation of our solar system, providing information such as:
1. average chemical composition of our solar system;
2. abundance of certain isotopes;
3. create a supply of solar material for future analysis; and
4. provide …show more content…
This was due to the incorrect orientation of the G-switch sensors on the SRC avionics unit. Inspection of design drawings and photos of the avionics unit installed in Genesis confirmed that the G-switch sensors were installed the same way in both the design and probe. However the MIB later discovered that the relay cards, which the G-switches were mounted to, were installed in an inverted orientation compared to how they were originally designed, which was for the Stardust mission. This inversion of the G sensors ensured that the target of 3 g’s in the correct direction was not sensed during re-entry, resulting in no parachute
Andrew Slimmon
SID: 200365261
University of Regina 1.0: Introduction
On August 8, 2001, the Genesis probe was launched at Cape Canaveral, Florida with the primary objective of retrieving samples of solar wind to be returned to Earth. These samples were intended to provide data including the chemical and isotopic composition of solar wind, which would help scientists understand how our solar system was formed(reference). When the probe’s drogue parachute failed to open during re-entry on September 8, 2004, NASA unleashed its Mishap Investigation Board to create a detailed report regarding why the Genesis Mission failed.
1.1 Objective
The purpose of Genesis was to collect samples of solar wind to be returned to Earth for study(reference). This data would assist scientists in understanding the formation of our solar system, providing information such as:
1. average chemical composition of our solar system;
2. abundance of certain isotopes;
3. create a supply of solar material for future analysis; and
4. provide …show more content…
This was due to the incorrect orientation of the G-switch sensors on the SRC avionics unit. Inspection of design drawings and photos of the avionics unit installed in Genesis confirmed that the G-switch sensors were installed the same way in both the design and probe. However the MIB later discovered that the relay cards, which the G-switches were mounted to, were installed in an inverted orientation compared to how they were originally designed, which was for the Stardust mission. This inversion of the G sensors ensured that the target of 3 g’s in the correct direction was not sensed during re-entry, resulting in no parachute