How Complex System Fail 4

Reviewing the work of Richard Cook https://web.mit.edu/2.75/resources/random/How%20Complex%20Systems%20Fail.pdf and applying it to satellite communications

Complex systems contain changing mixtures of failures latent within them.

The complexity of these systems makes it impossible for them to run without multiple flaws being present. Because these are individually insufficient to cause failure they are regarded as minor factors during operations. Eradication of all latent failures is limited primarily by economic cost but also because it is difficult before the fact to see how such failures might contribute to an accident. The failures change constantly because of changing technology, work organization, and efforts to eradicate failures.

The first item that comes to mind while reading this is when we have upgraded hardware in the past the "should" have been compatible, but turns out wasn't. Some of the satcom equipment I have used over the years have much much older than I am and running much better. This equipment was well into production when things like networking were implemented everywhere. Just getting them on the network is a major win and a simple upgrade can kill it. These are things that never seem to be seen ahead of time.