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Weather Satellite Falls To Ground
Space Technicians' Blunder Could Cost Taxpayers Tens Of Millions
POSTED: 10:51 a.m. EDT September 11, 2003
UPDATED: 1:10 p.m. EDT September 11, 2003
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- A multimillion-dollar weather satellite intended to track hurricanes has toppled over in its hangar in Sunnyvale, Calif.
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Satellite Crashes To Ground
Technicians forgot to install bolts that would have held the satellite down on its cart, WESH NewsChannel 2 reported.
The cart allows for the satellite to be turned over, but as it began to turn, it fell over. The broken 18-foot satellite could cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.
"The fall caused tremendous damage to the $240 million satellite," a statement from NASA said.
NASA officials said that every effort will be made to repair the satellite. It was set to launch in 2008.
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