Re: ARIANE-5 Failure

[john@assen.demon.co.uk (John McCabe)]

Ken Garlington <garlingtonke@lmtas.lmco.com> wrote:

>Of course, assuming that the root cause is traced to the software, what of
>it? Using Ada certainly doesn't ensure proper operation of a software system!

You're quite right and I didn't intend to imply anything by my
original message.

According to ESA/CNES press release 20.96,

"Preliminary analysis of the telemetry data confirms that the
propulsion stages (solid boosters and cryogenic main stage) functioned
correctly. The direction of inquiry is tending towards the launcher's
"electrical and software system""

I find it strange that they have mentioned "software" system rather
than "computer" system. They seem to have pointed the finger already.
It'll be interesting to see what the outcome is. It could so easily
just have been a sensor fault but I would have thought there would
have been adequate sensors to overcome/reduce the possibility of
single point failures.

My main interest in this matter is due to the fact that I work for the
UK part of the company that built the attitude control system and we
are actually using some of the equipment that was developed on the
Ariane 5 programme in the project I am currently working on.

Best Regards
John McCabe <john@assen.demon.co.uk>