Algorithms · July 1962Gaffe level: Blunder
The Most Expensive Hyphen in History
A single missing overbar in Mariner 1's guidance code convinced NASA's Venus probe it was veering off course when it wasn't, so it 'corrected' itself straight toward the Atlantic and had to be destroyed 293 seconds after launch. Arthur C. Clarke dubbed it the most expensive hyphen in history. The machines have been fat-fingering it since before the moon landing.
Source: EDN