A NASA investigation board said the crash of its Genesis lander in September 2004 was the result of deficiencies in prelaunch processes that led to faulty switch design.
The spacecraft traveled for three years to bring back solar-wind particles so that scientists could study the solar system’s birth and development. The Genesis return capsule crashed into the Utah desert.
Lockheed Martin built Genesis at its Waterton Canyon facility in Jefferson County.
The Genesis “G-switch sensors” were supposed to sense deceleration when the sample return capsule entered the atmosphere, and to deploy a parachute.
But, according to the report, the switch sensors were inverted during the design process. The failure was not detected in design review, verification or team review processes.
Among other things, the report blamed an inadequate review process, “unfounded confidence in heritage designs,” failure to “test as you fly,” and the “faster, better, cheaper” philosophy.
According to NASA, most of the Genesis science goals will be met, but “this fortunate outcome should not reduce the importance of the lessons learned from the Genesis mishap to future missions.”
Lockheed Martin said in written comments that it is reviewing the final report and will implement any changes not already done.
“The Genesis mission serves to again remind us just how demanding space exploration always is and how exact our efforts must be,” according to Lockheed.
Staff writer Kelly Yamanouchi can be reached at kyamanouchi@denverpost.com or 303-820-1488.
