Space : it ain't just a walk to the corner store yet.

[Professur]

Indian lunar orbiter goes tits up


Chinese Rocket Launches Satellite to Wrong Orbit


Odd that goof ups like this still happen decades after the Viking and voyager missions were such successes. IMO, it's because of excessive reliance of microelectronics and computers today. Hell, my watch has more computing power than Viking did. ..... Probably more than they had launching Viking for that matter.

 

[MrBishop]

IMO, it has more to do with lack of knowledge more than lack of silicone or overemphasis on silicone. China and India (not to mention other countries) don't have the experience designing and putting up satellites that the States do..or even Russia.

'member, NASA splashed and crashed it's fair share of Sats and rockets to get where it is today.

 

[Professur]

sure did. Challenger, colombia ...


Lets not forget my personal favorite space blooper ...Beagle 2. Gee, was that feet or meters above ground? I dunno 10-9-8-splat.

 

[catocom]

you forgot another biggie...
appolo 13

computers would have probably killed them if more in use, possibly