A command that was uploaded to the lander in an attempt the correct an error with the inertial navigation unit inadvertently shut off the main engine in a way that kept it from being restartable.
The probe crashed on the Moon’s surface at 310 miles per hour, unpowered.
Image from Beresheet from 15km altitude
This experience goes to show that humans are still important components of “the loop”, and that they can save or destroy a very expensive mission by the care they apply to getting their job right.
When you’re a few miles above the Moon, hurtling at it at six times the speed of a freight train, there are no do-overs.
There is no word yet about exactly what the problem was with the navigation unit, but we hope that they can fix the design — and perhaps spend a little more time simulating disaster scenarios in software, rather than on-site in the very expensive hardware.
It makes you appreciate Neil Armstrong’s skill, doesn’t it?
2 replies on “Human error doomed Beresheet”
Neil had, what, 6 SECONDS of fuel left. Maybe more than that, but not a lot. Great big cajones on those guys.
Clanking.