The Challenger Disaster
The Challenger Disaster
By: Kathy Neuner & Jeremy Rider
Executive Summary Many factors must be examined to find the underlying reason for the horrible disaster of the space shuttle Challenger. We will cover both the technical causes to the disaster and the communication breakdown with NASA. We will also look at the outside pressure that NASA was receiving from the media, congress and the military. Recommendations for NASA and anyone in the communication field will be given. These recommendations will help to avoid any further problems with communication in any organization. The O-rings failed to properly seal the gap in the joint seal. Failure of the Orings was the ultimate mechanical cause to the explosion of the Challenger. Communication breakdown between NASA employees and between NASA and MortonThiokol was also a major problem. The lack of communication ultimately caused the Challenger to explode. The decision to launch the Challenger on that cold morning in January was made on incomplete information. NASA’s management, and anyone else that knew of the many possible problems that could have happened, were the final causes of the disaster. Symbolic Mission On January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger was to make a historic and symbolic journey into outer space. With seven crewmembers on board, the Challenger the highly anticipated launch captivated the attention of many Americans. Not only was the shuttle going into space, but it was also taking an average American with it, a school teacher. Christa McAuliffe was going to give school lessons to students from space. Her lessons were highly anticipated by schoolchildren everywhere. Children were anxious to learn from space, and adults everywhere were fascinated; it was likely to capture the mind of the nation. This mission was a symbol of safety. This mission crossed boundaries that had never been explored before; it was a pledge of hope for science. Christa McAuliffe was a regular everyday person. She was
By: Kathy Neuner & Jeremy Rider
Executive Summary Many factors must be examined to find the underlying reason for the horrible disaster of the space shuttle Challenger. We will cover both the technical causes to the disaster and the communication breakdown with NASA. We will also look at the outside pressure that NASA was receiving from the media, congress and the military. Recommendations for NASA and anyone in the communication field will be given. These recommendations will help to avoid any further problems with communication in any organization. The O-rings failed to properly seal the gap in the joint seal. Failure of the Orings was the ultimate mechanical cause to the explosion of the Challenger. Communication breakdown between NASA employees and between NASA and MortonThiokol was also a major problem. The lack of communication ultimately caused the Challenger to explode. The decision to launch the Challenger on that cold morning in January was made on incomplete information. NASA’s management, and anyone else that knew of the many possible problems that could have happened, were the final causes of the disaster. Symbolic Mission On January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger was to make a historic and symbolic journey into outer space. With seven crewmembers on board, the Challenger the highly anticipated launch captivated the attention of many Americans. Not only was the shuttle going into space, but it was also taking an average American with it, a school teacher. Christa McAuliffe was going to give school lessons to students from space. Her lessons were highly anticipated by schoolchildren everywhere. Children were anxious to learn from space, and adults everywhere were fascinated; it was likely to capture the mind of the nation. This mission was a symbol of safety. This mission crossed boundaries that had never been explored before; it was a pledge of hope for science. Christa McAuliffe was a regular everyday person. She was