LCROSS IMU malfunctionIt just shows how even for the pros, something as basic as the IMU & AHRS can still ruin your day. You think it's just a matter of pimping a couple trillion dollars from the slaves, buying a super expensive AHRS to do something that's been done for 60 years & moving on to more important things like trajectory design. This is the stuff hobbyists struggle over, not multi trillion dollar space programs.But no, getting a reliable IMU & AHRS is still as fickle as ever in space travel. Unusual vibration modes, bad connections, small voltage fluctuations, RF interference, line noise all get you. We fought long & hard to minimize VicaCopter's AHRS component count down to just 3 reliable gyros & GPS because of all the failure points & the critical role the AHRS plays in our vehicles.It's tried & true technology, but it's the basis for everything. If the AHRS goes, your fuel/batteries R history. Funny how searching for LCROSS IMU on The Goog brings up the Jack Crossfire blog.
Jack, I think NASA has moved a bit from the over engineer everything - to a more cost-effective approach - which allows for more missions and less certainty.
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