In order for an actor network to become stable, the artifacts in the network/system have to be able to survive. Many elements in the network are difficult to control and may change. If this happens, the network collapses. Controlling or taming these elements is considered heterogeneous engineering.

In the 1490's, Portuguese explorers began actively looking for an ocean route to the Indies. The primary vessel of the time was the galley. The galley was a low slim vessel, powered by man (had a large crew), had a limited cargo capacity, operated in an environment where navigation was simple, and must stay close to land (for supplies). This made it an excellent war vessel for the Mediterranean. Outside the Mediterranean, the craft was useless. This technological object was beat by a stronger adversary, the Atlantic Ocean.

Through technological advances a new Actor Network evolved that dealt with the problems of the Atlantic. Instead of the small low galleys, large square ships were designed. Ships on the Atlantic required greater endurance than the small galleys in the Mediterranean. Sail were used as the primary power source (converting a hostile force into a useable source), thus reducing the need for large amounts of man power. Less men meant greater amounts of cargo could be held, thus reducing the need to stay close to the land. In the Mediterranean, navigation was not very important. But in the huge Atlantic, navigation was a must. The compass and other navigation devices were created.

Once heterogeneous engineering had been used in the elements (both natural and social) of the Atlantic, the Portuguese encountered a new area where the actor net work would be tested.

The Indies had new entities that had to be dealt with that would test the Portuguese actor network. The Portuguese encountered Muslim ships already engaged in the spice trade, and a local population that did not want to do business with the Portuguese. The Portuguese had large stronger ships than the Muslims, the Portuguese had the wealth of the crown behind them (the Muslims were basically independent business men), and the Portuguese has better weapons. In short, the Portuguese actor network was easily able to confront the hostilities and survive, there was little need to re-engineer the network/system.