Research Paper On Challenger Explosion

January 1986. NASA engineers faced with the pressure of launching over a dozen Space Shuttle flights by the end of the year, hindered the program with a critical lack of safety measures and concerns. This would not only cost the program millions, but would also claim the lives of 7 very unique and special individuals, including the woman who was to be the first teacher in space. Perhaps the most recognizable result of this oversight towards safety concerns in the NASA workforce, was the loss of the Space Shuttle “Challenger.” The event has been dubbed by historians, as the “Challenger Explosion.” Following the accident, a detailed report was given to the U.S government, known as the “Roger’s report.” This gave the Government vital information
Before delving into the details of how it contributed to the explosion however, one must first understand what an O-ring is and it’s general purpose in machines and devices. O-Rings are circular, compressible rubber rings, which serve to act as seals preventing gases and other liquids from leaking between attached parts. When the O-ring on the challenger began to lose some of it’s pressure , fuel began to leak and a small explosion soon ensued. The leaked gases mixed with those of the Shuttle’s main engines and external fuel tank, caused an even larger detonation.The external tank and fuselage were torn apart, killing all 7 crew
The leading cause, was NASA’s plan for a rapid increase in the number of flights per year for the shuttle program. The Roger’s report claims that “one effect of NASA's accelerated flight rate and the agency's determination to meet it was the dilution of the human and material resources that could be applied to any particular flight” (Report of The Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident.) A large number of departments within the shuttle program had difficulty keeping up with the pressure, and were unable to meet specific goals. Contributing to the pressure, was a lack of resources needed to prepare crews and shuttles quicker. Flaws in major decision making process’ came as a direct result of this. The accident had an enormous impact on NASA and the world, the Shuttle program was shut down for months. Meanwhile, an extensive investigation ensued. The shuttle was recovered, as well as the bodies of the 7 crew members, namely, Francis R. (Dick) Scobee, Michael John Smith, Ellison S. Onizuka, Judith Arlene Resnik, Ronald Erwin McNair, S.Christa McAuliffe, and Gregory Bruce Jarvis. The loss of those unique and special men and women, is perhaps the greatest tragedy of the