Flaw found in design of Mars Lander

(Pasadena, California-AP) -- NASA engineers say a newly found flaw in the design of the Mars Polar Lander could have caused its<br>engines to cut off prematurely during descent.<br><br>That's among

Thursday, February 17th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Pasadena, California-AP) -- NASA engineers say a newly found flaw in the design of the Mars Polar Lander could have caused its
engines to cut off prematurely during descent.

That's among several possibilities being considered in the investigation into why the 165 (M) million-dollar spacecraft hasn't
been heard from since December third. That's when it was supposed to touch down near Mars' south pole to begin studying the climate.

Other scenarios include the spacecraft toppling over after landing on a steep slope; its descent thrusters firing unevenly; or its radioes breaking down.
The lander's engines were supposed to shut down when one of its three legs touched the ground, triggering a switch. The new theory
suggests the legs may have been jarred during descent, causing the switch to prematurely cut off the engines and allowing the lander to fall about 130 feet to the surface.