Except that not all of them were inverted, according to one report.

I also heard that on other rockets, these sorts of sensors can be tested by watching the rocket, mounted on the launch pad, move as the earth spins. This model sensor can't do that for some reason, and electrical tests, of course, would show everything is fine. So it wasn't until the rocket actually launched (by which time it was too late) that the error was detected.

But fundamentally, I believe a device whose sole purpose it is to indicate direction should have no possibility of being mounted in any direction other than the one intended. Either that, or there should be a calibration step in the process somewhere to correct for this. In fact, now that I think of it, it should be a relatively simple test to look at the sensors immediately (milliseconds) after launch to confirm the orientation of the sensors, and flip them logically if necessary.

Of course, changing flight software is a non-trivial task, as would a mechanical modification to key the sensor and mounting, so doing a video inspection of the sensors as the only remediation is not a surprise.

Greg KO6TH

Roger Kolakowski wrote:

Maybe the un-assembled frame was oriented "nose" down when he installed them...so "this side up" made sense...

Roger WA1KAT

On 07/21/2013 12:46 PM, Greg D. wrote:

...

A member of our radio club is familiar with the rocket, from some past work. He said that the sensors are not keyed, and the "This side up" label is in rather small print. Between that and Murphy, I wonder why this wasn't a more frequent occurrance...

Greg. KO6TH

Alan [email protected] wrote:

...

An interesting article on the recent launch failure of a Proton-M:

http://preview.tinyurl.com/kt5x9hw

The latest in a long line of bizarre, expensive errors in the world launch business.

73s,

Alan WA4SCA

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• Sent from my new toy; pls excuse tupos.

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