The Mars Climate Orbiter Crashed on the Surface of Mars

question 8

Multiple Choice

The Mars Climate Orbiter crashed on the surface of Mars because

• A) one program output thrust in terms of foot-pounds, and another program expected thrust to be expressed in terms of newtons.
• B) the probe lost contact with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory when it entered the Martian atmosphere.
• C) a bug in the computer program caused the vehicle to consume too much fuel on the way to Mars, leaving an inadequate supply for landing.
• D) the extreme cold of deep space caused the computer to crash.
• E) before programmers went on strike at subcontractor Lockheed Martin, one of them sabotaged the flight control software.

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Definitions:

Metamorphism

The process by which the mineral composition and structure of a rock are changed by heat and pressure, resulting in metamorphic rock.

Regional Metamorphism

The process of transformation in rock's mineralogy and texture in a large area due to high pressures and temperatures deep in the Earth's crust.

Continental Conditions

The environmental, climatic, and geologic conditions that prevail on continental landmasses.

Bases of Power

The sources of power individuals or groups possess in a social or organizational structure, such as coercive, reward, legitimate, expert, and referent power.