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Space shuttle Challenger Disaster. 1986 - Coggle Diagram
Space shuttle Challenger Disaster. 1986
PEOPLE
Morton Thiokol Manafacturer of Solid Rocket Boosters and Engineers. Shuttle Crew.. NASA.Managment Team. Rockwell. Ice Inspection Team
EQUIPMENT DESIGN
Different Private Contractors used for components of shuttle.
Design of Shuttle a compromise, A reusable space craft required. Solid rocket boosters used to cut cost.
MANAGEMENT
NASA Space Centres, Marshall Huntsville Alabama. Johnson, Houston Texas, Kennedy Space Centre and Cape Canaveral
Morton Thiokol in Utah and Kennedy Space Centre.
Rockwell in Houston
OPERATIONS AND SYSTEMS
Launch criteria often ignored or changed
Procedures not adhered to,
Flight Review panel not included in all information.
WORKPLACE
Environment of high tension and chronic under staffing. Fatigue common
Ice team used to inspect launch pad but no requirement to report findings,
MAINTENACE
o rings damaged in previous launches. Reports not acted on. Shuttles kept flying using parts from other shuttles.
COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION TRANSFER
Recommendations from Morton Thiokol not to below a certain temperature because of possible failure of o rings not adhered to on several launches despite evidence of damage. Assessed an acceptable risk.
Dissemination of information poor and compartmentalised. Critical information not relayed upwards. Technical information from engineers relayed poorly so not understood.
NASA questioned data, Didn't believe temperature affected o rings. Engineers from Morton Thiokol asked to "prove"failure
Engineers given limited time to put together critical information.
Shuttle crew not included in any discussions about weather, Morton Thiokol and Rockwell reservations about launch at low temperature.
Teleconference between NASA, Morton Thiokol in Utah and Kennedy disputed engineers call for delay to launch.
Morton Thiokol Engineers refused to sign document for NASA allowing launch. Vice President of Space Shuttle Booster programme signed document against his engineers advice.
CHANGE TO USE OF SHUTTLE CRITERIA
Budget cut backs by Congress lead to commercialisation of programme. Astronauts did not believe programme was ready for passengers. Delay in Launch meant the school lesson by teacher on board would have been delayed until the Saturday when no children at school.
Morton Thiiokol, at the time, was negotiating for extension of contract.
References:- Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster: Ethics Case. (Society of Engineers. Nov. 19, 2015)
Challenger: A Rush to Launch. (News 4Jax 2018)
Challenger. The Untold Story. (PCXBox 360, May 17, 2008)
Rogers Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident (June 6th, 1986)
Richard Feynman Minority Report:- Appendix F (June 6th 1986)