The Ariane 5 Satellite Launch Vehicle Failed Because

question 18

Multiple Choice

The Ariane 5 satellite launch vehicle failed because

• A) a faulty on-board computer caused the other computers in the network to crash repeatedly.
• B) a bad sensor fed faulty information into the flight control computer, causing it to fail.
• C) the rocket's on-board computer sent back faulty information to ground control, causing the human controllers to destroy the rocket.
• D) code that worked correctly on the Ariane 4 failed on the Ariane 5.
• E) a software failure caused the rocket to self-destruct when in actuality the rocket's flight was going perfectly.

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Definitions:

Nature-Nurture

A debate concerning the relative importance of an individual's innate qualities (nature) versus personal experiences (nurture) in determining or causing differences in physical and behavioral traits.

Heredity

The transmission of genetic characteristics from parents to offspring.

Environment

The sum of all external conditions affecting the life, development, and survival of an organism.

Discontinuous Change

An aspect of development that is characterized by abrupt or stage-like change.