NASA admits mismanagement and human errors caused 2025 Goldstone antenna damage
NASA today released its completed investigation into the November 2025 incident that severely damaged its Goldstone antenna in California when workers allowed the antenna to “over rotate” beyond its acceptable limits, putting it out of commission.
In its final report, the board found the mishap primarily stemmed from software weaknesses, human error, and an undetected failure in the antenna’s hydraulic limit system. Investigators determined an electrical issue at the antenna the previous day caused the control system to misreport the antenna’s rotation state, an issue that went unnoticed and triggered multiple limit-stops during the Juno track on Sept. 16. While working to identify the limit-stop problem, operators performed several troubleshooting steps that inadvertently bypassed software and hardware safeguards, which ultimately led to the over-rotation incident. After flooding in the antenna base was observed, operators attempted to stow the antenna as a safety precaution, however, because the system had already passed the rotation limits, this action drove the antenna further into over‑rotation, causing additional damage.
Additionally, the investigation found the antenna’s hydraulic limit system, its final mechanical safeguard, was inoperable on Sept. 16 after being damaged in an undocumented prior incident. The system also had not been adequately tested for an undetermined period of time.
Investigators also concluded workplace culture pressured operators to work as expeditiously as possible, often stretching beyond their usual roles, expertise, and training, to keep the antenna operating. The board states the cultural conditions observed at Goldstone were not present at the network’s other sites, where roles and responsibilities are followed more consistently. Other contributing factors outlined in the report include inadequate procedures, reliance on undocumented practices and tacit knowledge, and gaps in the antenna’s control logic. [emphasis mine]
You can read that report here [pdf], but be warned that large sections are redacted, apparently in an effort to protect the identities of those responsible.
Nonetheless, it is very clear from the highlighted text above that the management and work situation at Goldstone was a mess, and that the mishap was caused not by faulty engineering but by faulty work practices and bad management. Unfortunately, nowhere in the report is it said that there will be any management changes. This fact might have been redacted, but I suspect not. It is typical of government agencies like NASA after incidents like this to whitewash the investigation, concluding simply that “we should have done better and we now we will!”
The repairs will cost NASA about $4.6 million, and will likely not be completed until 2028.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The print edition can be purchased at Amazon or from any other book seller. If you want an autographed copy the price is $60 for the hardback and $45 for the paperback, plus $8 shipping for each. Go here for purchasing details. The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
That is a national asset.
So was Areceibo…unlike China’s all passive FAST.
I would not be surprised one iota if the root cause of this snafu can be summed up in 3 letters:
D E I
I regret that I only have but one thumbs-up to give to this comment. –Patrick Henry, I think
I bet the oldest person at Goldstone is fairly young leaving the organization collectively inexperienced. There is probably a 70 year old who would have known how to avoid this but they were out on short term disability and the college degreed mechanical engineers thought they knew what they were doing.
Tribal knowledge.
Things only known by locals and passed on my word of mouth and experience.
We went through a week every year of getting tribal knowledge written down by the employees. One rookie engineer would gather it all up, test it and fit the approved bits into the operator manuals if it is appropriate.
This keeps people from “doing their own thing”. They pay more attention to the manuals and correct each other when they find someone trying to reach beyond their training, ability and scope of duties.
Its stunning that a facility like this would just let people run around doing anything they want with millions of dollars in equipment.
Proof that a PHD really only means Piled High and Deep. Academicians truly think they are better and smarter than anyone else, especially those dang uneducated maintenance people.
read the report.
The last documented time that the over limits were tested is unknown but a paper was found that directed them to test them. 22 years ago.
Two different sets of over limit sensors were overridden and the last limiter the physical limiter had been damaged for an unknown time.
200 thousand gallons of radiator coolant water and glycol had to be sucked up and disposed of safely. All the dry wall inside the building has asbestos in it and is being remediated. All the mechanical systems are operated by hydraulics so all of that hosing has to be removed and replaced. All the wiring needs replaced. Safety equipment needs replaced.
All because no one thought of testing the systems. and the brains of the operation just kept saying turn off those dang alarms.
pzatchok says: “Its stunning that a facility like this would just let people run around doing anything they want with millions of dollars in equipment”
That’s not the only place. There was an A-10 accident out of DM 40 or so years ago where this happened. A guy transitioning into the jet departed it during an air to air training flight. Turns out the Hog departs violently at altitude. Smacked his head on the side of the canopy. Lost consciousness for a bit. Was still out of control when he came to. Punched out. No chute. Rode the seat all the way in.
Accident investigation focused on the seat. Turns out an egress crew created their own new procedure on operational jets. Stood DM down for a day or two to inspect and found 3-4 more seats so modified. So, yeah, NASA is not the only place people can make it up as they go along. Some places this sort of thing becomes deadly. Cheers –
agrimarc: What the heck is “DM”? Please use plain English. Don’t assume everyone else knows your obscure acronyms.
Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, where A-10s operated for a while.
Nate P: I knew that, though I had to think about it for a bit. Many readers however won’t be able to figure it out.
I just hate acronyms and wanted to make a point.
‘DM = Davis Monthan in Tucson. Home of the Boneyard. Used to be training base for A-7D and A-10. Was also home base for a Titan 2 ICBM squadron half a century ago. Cheers –
agimarc: You should have simply typed “David-Monthan”, so as to make your point completely clear. Don’s assume everyone understands your obscure acronyms.
Echoes of the Soyuz launch pad failure last Nov abound. Incompetent operators. Operational pressure (where have we heard that before with NASA?). Mechanical failure. Sheesh. CHeers –
I was thinking of this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AaSfysYEEg&t=8s