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Is this another record? The first individual spacecraft launched into space despite prior knowledge of the fact that it was inoperable?
by caconym_ 7y ago
Is this another record? The first individual spacecraft launched into space despite prior knowledge of the fact that it was inoperable?
- dotancohen 7y agoMany payloads have been launched with known issues to meet a launch window or mass specification. Notably, I think the Mars Curiosity rover had disabled hardware (microphones) on board because its mass (all 80 grams of it) had been factored into the launch vehicle and spacecraft burns and EDL maneuvers.
- caconym_ 7y agoYeah, that's why I specified individual spacecraft. Presumably the rationale is similar, but it's interesting that this time it's not just a defunct subsystem but rather an entire independent spacecraft.