Close Call: JPL Engineer's Near Miss with Mars Rover's Earth Departure

Engineer Chris Lewicki recounts a testing mistake that nearly destroyed the Spirit Mars Rover before its launch in 2003. While verifying the integrity of the Rock Abrasion Tool (RAT), Lewicki accidentally sent a surge of electricity into the spacecraft instead of the motor, causing all telemetry to cease. With only two weeks until launch, the team managed to restore power and the mission was a success. Lewicki went on to have a successful career and became the flight director for the mission.