Challenger Disaster | Acceptable Risk | 2
American Scandal
Deep Dive
Why were the O-rings in the space shuttle's rocket boosters a critical concern for NASA and Morton Thiokol?
The O-rings were critical because they prevented fuel leaks in the seams of the rocket boosters. If they failed, burning fuel could leak and cause an explosion, potentially destroying the entire shuttle. Engineers found significant burn damage on one of the O-rings, raising concerns about their reliability.
Why did Thiokol and NASA consider the O-ring issue an 'acceptable risk' despite the potential for disaster?
Thiokol and NASA considered the O-ring issue an 'acceptable risk' because they believed the odds of two O-rings failing simultaneously were extremely low, around one in 10,000. They also felt confident that the O-rings could be improved and that the issue did not warrant delaying the launch schedule.
Why did NASA and Thiokol face pressure to maintain a high launch frequency?
NASA and Thiokol faced pressure from the White House and Congress to increase the frequency of shuttle launches. NASA needed to demonstrate the shuttle's reliability and efficiency to secure funding, while Thiokol wanted to maintain its contract and avoid losing business to competitors.
Why was the Teacher in Space program introduced, and who was selected as the first civilian in space?
The Teacher in Space program was introduced to rekindle public interest in the space program and inspire children. NASA selected Christa McAuliffe, a 36-year-old New Hampshire high school teacher, from over 11,000 applicants to be the first civilian in space.
Why did Roger Beaujolais request an emergency meeting with NASA, and what did he find?
Roger Beaujolais requested an emergency meeting with NASA because he found that the O-rings on the space shuttle Discovery had been severely damaged by low temperatures. He observed that the O-rings were covered in soot and partially incinerated, indicating that flames had burned through both the primary and backup O-rings.
Why did Bob Ebling write a memo to Thiokol's senior managers, and what did it say?
Bob Ebling wrote a memo to Thiokol's senior managers because he was deeply concerned about the O-ring issue and felt that the task force assigned to fix it was not getting the necessary attention. The memo, which began with 'HELP' in all caps, detailed how corporate bureaucracy and departmental resistance were hampering the task force's efforts.
Why were there multiple delays in the Challenger's launch, and what were the technical issues?
The Challenger's launch faced multiple delays due to poor weather, technical failures, and issues with the hatch. A malfunction in the steering system of one of Thiokol's solid rocket boosters and problems with the hatch sensors and a stripped bolt on the door handle contributed to the delays.
Why did Dick Scobie, the Challenger's commander, sing 'The Last Farewell' to his wife June during their beach walk?
Dick Scobie sang 'The Last Farewell' to his wife June during their beach walk, possibly because he was more worried about the launch than he let on. The song's lyrics, which included lines about having no fear of death but a bitter farewell, might have reflected his deeper concerns about the mission.