Final answer:
The crash of the Mars Climate Orbiter was due to mismanaged risk control with a failure to convert English units to metric, leading to the spacecraft's disintegration. Even with the risks, space exploration is crucial for extending our knowledge. NASA must balance protection against meteor impacts with cost considerations in satellite design.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 1999 NASA Mars Climate Orbiter incident is best characterized by mismanaged risk control. The reason for the spacecraft's crash was due to a critical error in unit conversion from the English system to the metric system. Specifically, measurements in pounds-forces were not converted to newtons, which caused the spacecraft to deviate from its intended flight path and ultimately disintegrate in the Martian atmosphere.
To prevent such a mishap, rigorous checks and standardized processes for unit conversions should have been in place. The Mars Climate Orbiter was sent to Mars to monitor the Martian atmosphere and study the planet's climate. Despite the risks involved, space exploration is vital as it expands our knowledge and can inspire innovation and collaboration. It also prompts us to address broader questions about our place in the universe.
In designing equipment like satellites and telescopes, NASA must take into account the trade-offs between protection against meteor impacts and the weight of the equipment, as heavier designs increase launch costs.