CNN.com - Backward switches doomed probe - Jun 14, 2006

CNN.com - Backward switches doomed probe - Jun 14, 2006: "LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- A report released Tuesday blamed a design flaw for the 2004 crash of a NASA space probe carrying solar wind atoms back to Earth and criticized engineers for failing to detect the error."

The 231-page document prepared by independent investigators found that gravity switches on the Genesis probe designed to trigger the deployment of its parachutes were installed backward.

They should have designed them as if they were going to be used by consumers where it would have been impossible to install them backwards.