Two failed satellite launch missions and $700 million losses are the coast of faulty materials provided to NASA by an American metal manufacturer. The fraud has been made by the Sapa Profiles, a company from Oregon, that had falsified thousands of certifications for the aluminum part they were selling. This had happened over 19 years and to many customers of the company, including NASA.
All of the bad parts received from Sapa Profiles were used to fabricate Taurus XL. The rocket had the task to deliver satellites that studies Earth’s climate, in a mission between 2009 and 2011. The problem with the wrong parts was when at launching the rocket’s clamshell structure didn’t fully open. The clamshell is carrying the satellites, and if it doesn’t open, the mission is unsuccessful.
NASA Has Lost $700 Million with Satellites Failure Because of a Scam
Moreover, a false certificate and altered testing result will always lead to a failed mission. The severe and sad fact with these kinds of events is that a lot of years and scientific work is being lost. And it’s so sad to think that many other missions could have been made and information could have been revealed if fraud didn’t destroy everything.
However, after the news had broken out, the Norsk Hydro ASA (the current parent of Sapa Profiles) has been charged by the US Department of Defense for criminal and civil claims, and they have to pay $46 million for the fraud committed between 1996 to 2015. Norsk Hydro ASA has admitted that the fraud was committed by employees because they were the ones that had faked the test results. The company is pleading guilty for fraud and is barred from US contracting.
Finally, Brian Benczkowski, Assistant Attorney-general of the criminal division at the Department of Justice, says that only corporate and personal greed can lead to fraud against private companies and government.
Jasmine holds a Master’s in Journalism from Ryerson University in Toronto and writes professionally in a broad variety of genres. She has worked as a senior manager in public relations and communications for major telecommunication companies, and is the former Deputy Director for Media Relations with the Modern Coalition. Jasmine writes primarily in our LGBTTQQIAAP and Science section.