Re: ISS Service Module Thruster Test Fails -- first story on line

Jim Oberg wrote:

"Even if the engines never work, they are only a backup to propulsion capability usually provided by visiting vehicles docked to the aft port," he explained in an e-mail. "The loss of these engines has no impact on station operations - the Russians were just curious if they would work after so long, and they have their answer."

Losing a backup system has always got to be a Bad Thing (although Mir spent nearly its entire life in the same situation, but for a different reason).

It makes you wonder what other long-term dormant systems no longer work. The failure of P6's array extension/retraction system would be extremely bad, for example.

--Chris
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