Space exploration is no easy feat, and the great strides made in this field are a testament to human ingenuity and perseverance. Throughout history, NASA has encountered some significant challenges that almost led to the abandonment of major missions. Here, we explore eight such near-miss incidents.
The Hubble Space Telescope’s Initial Failure
Launched in 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope was expected to revolutionize our understanding of the universe. However, a flaw in the primary mirror almost spelled doom for the mission. This serious blunder resulted in blurry images and a lot of embarrassment for NASA. In what came to be known as the “Hubble’s blunder”, the agency seriously considered abandoning the project before deciding to send a crew to fix the issue in 1993.
The Near-Scrap of Apollo 13
Perhaps one of the most famous space missions, Apollo 13 almost ended in disaster. An explosion in one of the oxygen tanks meant the crew had to abort their moon landing and perform a risky maneuver to return to Earth. It was a tense time for everyone involved, and the mission was almost abandoned mid-flight. However, through a series of successful problem-solving efforts, the crew made it back safely.
Mars Rover Spirit’s Unexpected Shutdown
The Mars Rover Spirit was an integral part of NASA’s exploration of the red planet. However, in 2010, the rover unexpectedly shut down and stopped communicating with Earth. After months of unsuccessful attempts to reestablish contact, NASA almost gave up on the mission. Yet, they persisted and finally managed to restore contact and continue the mission.
Voyager 2’s Close Call with Jupiter’s Radiation
When Voyager 2 flew by Jupiter in 1979, it almost didn’t make it. The spacecraft came perilously close to the planet’s deadly radiation belts, which could have fried its electronics and ended the mission. NASA considered altering the spacecraft’s path to avoid the risk, and ultimately decided to press on. The risk paid off, and Voyager 2 provided invaluable data about Jupiter and its moons.
The Troublesome Launch of Skylab
Launched in 1973, Skylab was NASA’s first space station. However, the mission was almost scrapped before it even began. During the launch, a critical meteoroid shield was torn off, causing severe damage to the station. NASA considered abandoning the mission, but instead opted to perform a risky in-orbit repair. This decision was a success, and Skylab went on to host three manned missions.
The Delayed Launch of the James Webb Space Telescope
The James Webb Space Telescope, the successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, has faced numerous delays and budget overruns. These setbacks have led to serious discussions about whether to continue the project. However, NASA has continued to push forward, and the telescope is now set to launch in 2021.
The Risky Decision of the Galileo orbiter’s High-Gain Antenna
The Galileo orbiter, launched in 1989, was set to explore Jupiter and its moons. However, the mission was almost cancelled when the spacecraft’s high-gain antenna failed to deploy. NASA considered various alternatives, including abandoning the mission. Instead, they decided to use the spacecraft’s low-gain antenna, although this meant a much slower data rate. Despite the setbacks, Galileo went on to make significant discoveries about Jupiter and its moons.
The Apollo 12 Lightning Strike Incident
Apollo 12, the second manned mission to land on the moon, faced a serious setback right after launch. The spacecraft was struck by lightning, causing a power failure and loss of telemetry data. For a moment, the mission was on the verge of being aborted. However, thanks to quick thinking by the flight controllers, the mission was saved and Apollo 12 went on to make a successful lunar landing.