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NASA was sold faulty rocket parts for almost 20 years
Engadget ^ | 05/01/2019 | Mariella Moon

Posted on 05/01/2019 6:50:11 PM PDT by BenLurkin

When the launch of NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory and Glory missions failed in 2009 and 2011, the agency said it was because their launch vehicle malfunctioned. The clamshell structure (called fairing) encapsulating the satellites as they traveled aboard Orbital ATK's Taurus XL rocket failed to separate on command. Now, a NASA Launch Services Program (LSP) investigation has revealed that the malfunction was caused by faulty aluminum materials. More importantly, the probe blew a 19-year fraud scheme perpetrated by Oregon aluminum extrusion manufacturer Sapa Profiles, Inc., which Orbital ATK fell victim to, wide open.

For almost two decades, employees would doctor failing numbers or violate other testing standards, such as increasing the speed of testing machines or using sample sizes that didn't meet specifications. They'd then provide clients, including government contractors, with falsified certifications.

The company, now known as Hydro Extrusion Portland, Inc., has agreed to pay NASA, the DOJ and other entities $46 million. It's a tiny fraction of the $700 million NASA lost from the failed missions, but at least officials were able to hold SPI accountable for its actions. Sapa Profiles/Hydro Extrusion was also suspended from government contracting on September 30th, 2015, and it can no longer do business with the federal government.

(Excerpt) Read more at engadget.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy
KEYWORDS: aluminum; faulty; hydroextrusion; nasa; oregon; portland; rocketparts; sapaprofiles
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1 posted on 05/01/2019 6:50:11 PM PDT by BenLurkin
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To: BenLurkin

At least NASA’s buying their rockets from the Russians now.


2 posted on 05/01/2019 6:54:19 PM PDT by kaehurowing
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To: BenLurkin

I want prosecutions


3 posted on 05/01/2019 6:54:22 PM PDT by yldstrk (My heroes have always been cowboys)
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To: BenLurkin

19 years of fraud and no one will go to prison.

Ain’t life grand.


4 posted on 05/01/2019 6:54:33 PM PDT by dp0622 (The Left should know if.. Trump is kicked out of office, it is WAR)
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To: BenLurkin

Perkin Elmer Hubble


5 posted on 05/01/2019 6:58:08 PM PDT by sasquatch
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To: kaehurowing

SpaceX is coming


6 posted on 05/01/2019 7:01:27 PM PDT by TexasGator (Z1z)
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To: BenLurkin
Sapa Profiles/Hydro Extrusion was also suspended from government contracting on September 30th, 2015, and it can no longer do business with the federal government.

The Halfrican and his seditious minions let the prosecutions slide....


7 posted on 05/01/2019 7:03:40 PM PDT by an amused spectator (Mitt Romney, Chuck Schumer's p*ssboy)
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To: BenLurkin

Anyone who has done business with NASA will know that it is loosey goosey and pretty much up to the vendors and contractors to define agency requirements and conduct their own QC.


8 posted on 05/01/2019 7:09:58 PM PDT by Chauncey Gardiner
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To: an amused spectator

Do you have the chart for .095” wrapped piano wire? For Dimms convicted of sedition only, of course. On good authority the optional addition of a 20 pound sandbag produces very splashy results.


9 posted on 05/01/2019 7:20:25 PM PDT by Bedford Forrest (Roger, Contact, Judy, Out. Fox One. Splash one.<I>)
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To: BenLurkin

Top execs need to have some decent length jail times in unpleasant normal prisons.


10 posted on 05/01/2019 7:26:21 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not Averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: an amused spectator

Maybe just use a 4-story elevator shaft...


11 posted on 05/01/2019 8:22:10 PM PDT by SuperLuminal (Where is Sam Adams now that we desperately need him)
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To: BenLurkin

Oregon(D)


12 posted on 05/01/2019 8:28:54 PM PDT by Cold Heart
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To: SunkenCiv

*ping*


13 posted on 05/01/2019 8:34:29 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (BUTTGIGGITY ! It's an anal thing. You wouldn't understand.)
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To: an amused spectator

Great. I’m going to end up with my chin on the platform.


14 posted on 05/01/2019 8:43:28 PM PDT by null and void (The press is always lying. When they aren't actively lying, they are actively concealing the truth.)
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To: null and void
"Too Tall Nully"

LOLOLOL!!! ;-)

15 posted on 05/01/2019 8:45:21 PM PDT by an amused spectator (Mitt Romney, Chuck Schumer's p*ssboy)
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To: fieldmarshaldj
Nothing like outsourcing so some corrupt congresscritter can get a payoff.

16 posted on 05/01/2019 8:50:34 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie.)
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To: SunkenCiv

Execute them all.


17 posted on 05/01/2019 9:27:19 PM PDT by grey_whiskers (The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change with out notice.)
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To: BenLurkin; Gamecock; SaveFerris; PROCON

Boy, Bob Sacamano really gets around, doesn’t he?


18 posted on 05/01/2019 9:33:51 PM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: BenLurkin

[ For almost two decades, employees would doctor failing numbers or violate other testing standards, such as increasing the speed of testing machines or using sample sizes that didn’t meet specifications. They’d then provide clients, including government contractors, with falsified certifications. ]

I’ve heard rumors this happens in the aerospace “refurbishing” industry. Specifically, airplane parts.

No, I wouldn’t be able to prove it. Just a story from many decades ago.


19 posted on 05/02/2019 1:27:33 PM PDT by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold ......)
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To: null and void

Hey the girl behind the counter at Taco Bell last night just moved here from your city.

I didn’t ask if she knew you....


20 posted on 05/02/2019 1:29:09 PM PDT by SaveFerris (Luke 17:28 ... as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold ......)
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