Failures at Nasa

During my Masters at Univ of South Florida, Prof. Alarian had talked to us about a mirror failing (because of being installed backwards) on an important project.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article5799134.ece?token=null&offset=12&page=2

Nasa's problems

— The $1 billion Mars Observer was launched in 1992 to study the planet’s terrain and climate. Three days before its scheduled orbital entry, communications inexplicably and permanently stopped. Its current location is unknown

— In 1998 confused subcontracted engineers at Lockheed Martin used imperial units of measurement instead of the metric system Nasa intended, and sent the Mars Climate Orbiter vehicle, launched by a Delta rocket, right, into a low-altitude orbit, where it was torn apart by atmospheric stresses

— When Nasa’s Genesis capsule returned to Earth with samples of solar wind in 2004, its parachute failed to open and it crashed into the Utah desert. Investigators later found that its deceleration sensors were installed backwards

— In 1987 an Atlas-Centaur rocket was hit by lightning moments after launch. It spun out of control and had to be destroyed

— After nearly two decades of development, the Hubble Space Telescope was launched in 1990. Only then did scientists realise that its mirror was flawed. It was repaired in space in 1993

— Seven died in 1986 when a failed booster engine caused the Shuttle Challenger to break apart 73 seconds after launch

— In 1970 an explosion in Apollo 13’s fuel cells cut oxygen and water reserves to a critical level. A rescue mission brought Apollo 13 back to Earth three days later