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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.


Video


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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Incompetence is everywhere.